CHAPTER X



Of their hospitality and liberality


No one of this nation ever begs, for the houses of all are common
to all; and they consider liberality and hospitality amongst the
first virtues. So much does hospitality here rejoice in
communication, that it is neither offered nor requested by
travellers, who, on entering any house, only deliver up their arms.
When water is offered to them, if they suffer their feet to be
washed, they are received as guests; for the offer of water to wash
the feet is with this nation an hospitable invitation. But if they
refuse the proffered service, they only wish for morning
refreshment, not lodging. The young men move about in troops and
families under the direction of a chosen leader. Attached only to
arms and ease, and ever ready to stand forth in defence of their
country, they have free admittance into every house as if it were
their own.

Those who arrive in the morning are entertained till evening with
the conversation of young women, and the music of the harp; for
each house has its young women and harps allotted to this purpose.
Two circumstances here deserve notice: that as no nation labours
more under the vice of jealousy than the Irish, so none is more
free from it than the Welsh: and in each family the art of playing
on the harp is held preferable to any other learning. In the
evening, when no more guests are expected, the meal is prepared