Liberty Order and Law

...several branches speaking dialects of what was once a common language now hold power. To determine the common elements in the languages, mythologies, legends, laws, and customs of the various branches of this great Indo-European original: "Aryan"; in the 19th century, scholars used this term to refer to the broad family of Indo-European languages and cultures. race—and from there to use logic to reconstruct the original parent race from which they came—is one of the most interesting and undoubtedly one of the most important problems in historical science.

Solving this problem requires the gathering of every possible bit of knowledge related to the subject. No tribe of the race can be so obscure, or land so insignificant, that its history may not contribute materials for this purpose. Even if it were true that in ancient times Ireland was merely an isolated corner of the earth whose inhabitants were no better than savages, the study of the people's ancient language and their surviving historical traditions and legends would still be valuable.

In truth, however, the ancient language, laws, and traditions of Ireland are among the most valuable—even indispensable—materials for solving the problem stated above. On the European continent and in Great Britain, the Romans, Celts, and Germans mixed with each other so thoroughly that it is almost impossible to say what is unique to each group and what was borrowed. As might have been expected, the fully developed legal, tax, and administrative systems of the Romans deeply modified the political and social organization of the Gauls, Britons, and Germans. The only branch of the Celtic race not in direct contact with...