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fatherhood。 Under these circumstances； if great schools of Vedaic
learning existed in India in very ancient times； as we have
strong reason to think they did； the relation between Teacher and
Pupil would closely follow and imitate the relation between
father and son。 A great profession would thus be formed； with
stores of common knowledge； but the tie between the members would
not be purely intellectual； it would from the first be conceived
as of the nature of kinship。 Such a system； as the old ideas
decayed； would tend infallibly to become one of real
consanguinity。 The aptitude for sacred know ledge would come to
be thought to run in the blood of sons whose fathers had been
instructed in it； and none but such sons would be received into
the schools。 A Caste would thus be formed； in the eyes of its
members the type of all Castes。
We have thus strong reason for thinking that societies still
under the influence of primitive thought labour under a certain
incapacity for regarding men； grouped together by virtue of any
institutions whatsoever； as connected otherwise than through
blood…relationship。 We find that； through this barrenness of
conception； they are apt to extend the notion of consanguinity
and the language beginning in it to institutions of their own not
really founded on community of blood； and even to institutions of
foreign origin。 We find also that the association between
institutions arising from true kinship and institutions based on
artificial kinship is sometimes so strong； that the emotions
which they respectively call forth are practically
indistinguishable。 These phenomena of early thought and feeling
appear to me amply to account for some facts of Irish history
which nearly all English writers on Ireland have noticed with
extreme surprise or indignation。 The expressions of Sir John
Davis； while stating that many of the early Anglo…Norman
adventurers settled in Ireland became in time pure Irish
chieftains； reflect the violent astonishment and anger which the
transformation excited in Englishmen。 'The English Colonists did
embrace and use the Irish custom； after they had rejected the
Civil and Honourable Laws and Customs of England； whereby they
became degenerate and metamorphosed like Nebuchadnezzar； who；
although he had the face of a man； had the heart of a beast； or
like those who had drunk of Circe's cup and were turned into very
beasts； and yet took such pleasure in their beastly manner of
life as they would not return to their shape of men again；
insomuch as within less time than the age of a man； they had no
marks or difference left among them of that noble nation from
which they were descended。' The fact； stated in this bitter
language； is not especially marvellous。 We have seen the general
complexion of Irish society giving its colour to institutions of
all sorts associations of kinsmen shading off into assemblages
of partners and guild…brothers foster parentage； spiritual
parentage； and preceptorship taking their hue from natural
paternity ecclesiastical organisation blending with tribal
organisation。 The Anglo…Norman captain who had thought to conquer
for himself an Irish signory passed insensibly in the same way
into the chieftain of an Irish tribe。 The dependants who
surrounded him did not possibly draw any clear distinction
between the actual depositary of power and the natural depositary
of power； and； as the contagiousness of ideas is in proportion to
their fewness； it is intelligible that he too was affected by the
mental atmosphere in which he lived。 Nor were other motives
wanting。 The extreme poverty and constant distractions of Ireland
did not prevent an extraordinary amount of the pride of
authority； of the pride of birth； and even of the pride of wealth
from centring in the dignity of an Irish Chief。