efficacious in bilious complaints and obstructions of the liver. The Spring is much frequented in the summer months. Mineral waters are very common in Ireland, there being eight hundred or a thousand similar springs, scattered over the island. Near this fountain are the ruins of an old castle, blown up by the Prince of Hesse, in the year 1690. The Earl of Clare has a beautiful seat called Mount Shannon, within a mile of this watering place.

On the

In the course of the forenoon, we passed a lead mine which is the only one wrought to any extent in Ireland. Several old shafts were observed about the lakes of Killarney, and pieces of ore were picked up, which probably contained 25 per cent. of lead. Experience proved the mines to be not worth working. Metals and minerals of all descriptions, except tin, are found on this island. banks of the Shannon we saw several coal mines. the shafts extended about 70 feet under the bed of the river. The coal is of an inferior quality, used only in reducing lime. It is said that native gold was formerly abundant in Ireland; and that immense masses of it were used in the furniture and ornaments of the early chieftains. It does not appear to be very plentiful at present.

One of

In the county of Tipperary, we passed through the village of Roscrea, where are several interesting ruins, among which is a castle erected by King John, in the year 1213. It is an immense pile, and still in a tolerable state of preservation. A few rods from this, stands the shrine of St. Cronon, consisting of a triangular structure, like the gable end of a house, with a gate forming the entrance to a modern church. It is a rude piece of antiquity, of Saxon architec ture, and presenting the half-effaced images of Saints, in bas-relief, with some unintelligible inscriptions. On the opposite side of the way, is a round tower, 15 feet in diameter, and a hundred in height, supposed to be of Danish origin. We had barely time to look into the tower, and stand a moment at the sacred shrine, when the coach took 'us up, and hurried us away. There is also at Roscrea an ancient castle of great extent, built by the Earl of Ormond. A dwelling house now stands within the walls.

A few miles farther on, are seen the ruins of an abbey, situate upon a little oasis in the bog of Mouela, inaccessible for a considerable part of the year. Upon the island, traces of an orchard and a fish-pond are discoverable. The mo

nastery was founded in the seventh century. Its site is truly romantic. To the south-west rise the hills of Sliew-bloom, celebrated by the poet Spenser. The morass around the

abbey was evidently once covered with a forest of heavy timber, the remains of which are yet found in the bog in three distinct strata. The monastery was therefore for many centuries in the midst of a deep and dark wood, insulated entirely from the rest of the world.

At Emo are the ruins of the castle of Dunamase, planted upon an insulated rock, impregnable before the invention of gunpowder. It has gone through many revolutions, having belonged successively to M'Murrough, King of Leinster, the Earl of Pembroke, Lord Mortimer, and Lisagh O'Moore, until it was finally destroyed by Cromwell, who was any thing but a protector to the castles and monasteries of Ireland. The marks of his scourge are visible in every part of the island. Had he acted strictly upon the principle which he professed, the destruction of monastic institutions and of castles might have been beneficial to the country; but in most cases, his career was marked by a barbarous destruction of property, without substituting any thing better, either in religion or government.

Kildare is one of the most celebrated places upon this route. The name signifies the wood of oaks. It was so called from being orignally surrounded by an immense forest. In the centre of the woods was a large plain, now called the Currah of Kildare, once sacred to heathenish superstition. St. Bridgid, a natural daughter of an Irish chieftain, after her. conversion to Christianity, here founded a nunnery, as early as the fifth century. She is said to have received the veil at the age of 14, from the hand of St. Patrick himself. She possessed great talents, as well as great sanctity, governing for many years a friary connected with the nunnery. Her name is still enrolled in the calender of the saints, and her festival observed on the 1st of February. Here also Black Hugh, one of the Kings of Leinster, took refuge and assumed the babit of a monk, preferring the solitude of a cloister to a throne and the regalia of power. In 1220; the Archbishop of Dublin quenched the inextinguishable fire, (if a bull may be allowed,) which the vestal had kept burning for many ages. The sacred flame was, however, rekindled, and continued to burn till the suppression of monasteries.

The Curragh of Kildare is now a common, across which

It

the road passes. It is one of the most extensive and beautiful in the world, containing about five thousand acres. is perfectly level and smooth, covered with little tufts of furze, and the green sod, closely fed by thousands of sheep which make it their pasture. Large flocks of crows and magpies were seen walking over it, some of them within a few yards of the coach. 'The tameness of these birds sur

prised me, until I learned the cause. In the turbulent times, now in some degree gone by in Ireland, fire-arms of every description were taken out of the hands of the people; and the crows have gradually become so domestic, as to hover round the cabins, and tear up fields of potatoes with impunity.

Kildare common is now a race-ground, said to be the best turf course in Europe. A multitude of people were assembled upon it, and we saw a kind of scrub-race at a distance. Several of the English officers were out from Dublin, to participate in the sports of the turf, which are certainly more pleasant than fighting the Burmese. One of the fancy overtook the coach, and gave us an account of the momentous events of the day, in the true cockney style. On the eastern border of the common are numerous entrenchments, or tumuli. They are denominated in the Irish language Forranta Foras, or ancient graves, where the first inhabitants of the country were buried.

Near Kildare is the ancient town of Naas, once the seat of the kings of Leinster, and of the Irish parliament. It is full of ruins. A little beyond the town are the remains of a castle begun but never finished, by the unfortunate Earl of Strafford, whose barbarous execution is one of the greatest blots on the page of English history. It is an immense pile, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country. At Naas are handsome modern barracks, at present occupied by one or two regiments. Indeed, in every town along the road, in the streets and market places of the cities, troops are seen parading with a useless formality-useless certainly at present, as the White Boys have in great measure disappeared, and the people are tranquil. Several spots were however pointed out to us, where English officers fell, or were murdered in this inglorious species of warfare. The traces of hostility between the English and Irish are still visible. The former are viewed in the light of oppressors; the latter are considered rebellious and despicable. It will

be long, very long, before these feelings, which have been cherished for ages, will be entirely obliterated among the lower classes.

The

The suburbs of Dublin, in the approach from Limerick, are extremely picturesque and beautiful. On the right, is a distant range of high hills extending along the coast. grounds are fertile, and in a high state of cultivation, with numerous seats of noblemen and wealthy individuals belonging to the city. Just before entering the town, we crossed a stone bridge over the Grand Canal. Our entrance was at twilight. A ride through several of the principal streets, bordered by a great number of public buildings and other magnificent edifices, including the residence of the LordLieutenant of Ireland and the University, gave us a very favourable impression of the architectural grandeur and taste of this city, which is the second in point of magnitude in the United Kingdom. Subsequent observation confirmed the opinion, which was derived from a first glance. Sackville-street, opening in a northern direction from the bridge of the Liffey, is a spacious and splendid avenue, lined with ranges of lofty structures, and adorned with a stately monu-. ment in memory of Lord Nelson. The post office is one of the largest and most commodious establishments of the kind I have ever seen. In general, the buildings are constructed of substantial materials, and exhibit a high degree of neatness and elegance. Good accommodations were found at the Royal Hibernian Hotel. As our arrival was on Saturday evening, no opportunity was afforded of delivering our letters the next day; and as we were in great haste to reach Liverpool, it was concluded to take the first packet, reserving our visit to this place till our return from the north of Ireland.*

Our view of the south of Ireland, both town and country, has been as full and perfect, as could well have been accomplished in the same time. The weather has been delightfully pleasant, enabling us to be abroad every day; and we have been constantly upon the alert with all the inquisitive

* Subsequent events compelled us to defer a visit to Belfast and the Giant's Causeway, till our return from the Continent; and the consequence was, that we did not go at all. Our stay, at Dublin, therefore, was limited to less than two days, one of which was Sunday, affording no opportunity of examining the institutions or other interesting objects in this beautiful city.

ness of Yankees. Although we were entire strangers, it has been our good fortune to meet with many intelligent and communicative persons, who have manifested towards us their characteristic hospitality and kindness. An instance

of this description occurred at Limerick. On making some inquiries of one of the clerks of the courts respecting the town, he at once locked his office and devoted an hour to our service, in conducting us to the public places and in pointing out what was most worthy of observation..

The country was undoubtedly seen under the most favourable circumstances. So fine a season has not been known for many years; and the Emerald Isle is now in the full bloom of summer, with the prospect of abundant harvests. Provisions of all kinds are plenty, and the ordinary sufferings of the lower classes are comparatively light. There is, however, at present much wretchedness, which nothing but some radical changes in the structure of society can remove. At Dublin we read the report in the House of Lords, on the state of Ireland. The ministerial papers denominate it an able document, and the King thanks the committee in his speech. But the report appears to be a mere collusion, calculated to lull the people into a state of quietude, and to cherish hope long deferred, yet always disappointed. It is here viewed in that light; and the catholics have already held meetings preparatory to another political campaign. They are confident of ultimate success. Their opponents accuse them of a wish to revolutionize the Island, and dissolve the union; but this they stoutly deny, contending that they are loyal, and ask for nothing beyond the privileges which other sects enjoy. Seven eighths of the whole population are catholics. The protestants say, that an accession of power and influence would increase the number and render it formidable both to church and state. The result of the controversy, and the destination of Ireland, is a great problem, which remains to be solved.

1

It is evident that the government entertain serious fears of such an immense physical force, in a starving and discontented condition. Hence the policy of sending so many from the country to Canada. This is a dangerous experiThe emigrants will by and by look for that Treedom and independence abroad, which they could never find at home. To us republicans the policy to be pursued towards Ireland appears perfectly plain. Education should be the

ment.