Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/23

 there appeareth great shew of equity, in determining the right betvveene party and party, but in many things repugning quite both to Gods law, and mans: As for example in the case of Murder, the Brehon, that is their judge, will compound betweene the murderer, and the friends of the party murdered, which prosecute the action, that the malefactor shall give unto them, or to the child, or wife of him that is slain a recompence, which they call an Eriach: By which vilde law of theirs, many murders amongst them are made up, and smothered. And this judge being as hee is called the Lords Brehon, adjudgeth for the most part, a better share unto his Lord, that is the Lord of the soyle, or the head of that sept, and also unto himselfe for his judgement a greater portion, then unto the plaintifFes or parties grieved.

Eudoox. This is a most wicked law indeed: but I trust it is not now used in Ireland, since the kinffs of England have had the absolute dominion thereof, and established their owne lawes there.

Iren. Yes truly; for there be many wide countries in Ireland, which the lawes of England were never established in, nor any acknowledgment of