day where the morrow's meal is to come from-would be glad to receive shelter from the pitiless storm in these asylums of charity; but they are turned from the doors daily, for want of room, and are compelled to seek their living by begging in the streets. The city authorities have made every endeavor to prevent this mode of obtaining subsistence, by adopting a strict police regulation, which has thus far proved utterly useless, from the fact that the people cannot procure labor whereby to gain the necessaries of life, and they cannot compel a man to starve.

The police of Ireland is better, probably, than that of England, being composed of the first young men in the country, and required to undergo a thorough drilling before they are received or allowed to enter upon the regular duties of their office. The government owes much to this body of men, who are stationed in every neighborhood, for the preservation of peace and quietude. Were it not for, their efficiency and promptness in quelling riots and keeping the masses in subjection, Ireland would soon be the scene of another revolution. During my stay here I have witnessed several reviews of the constabulary and military in the Phoenix Park, a place of great natural beauty, and much adorned with gravel walks and a large granite monument in the centre, called the Wellington Testimonial. On these occasions the visitor has an opportunity of witnessing the largest, best drilled, and most efficient corps of men in the kingdom. It is certainly a beautiful sight to stand on some eminence and watch this large body of men go through the various evolutions of military tactics with so much precision and grace; but when one reflects upon its utility, and considers the enormity of taxation laid upon the people to keep up an idle soldiery, he loses all interest in the dazzling display, and becomes utterly disgusted with monarchies and every thing connected with them.

The public monuments in this city are well deserving our notice, as they all commemorate some historical event, or great man's character. Next to the Wellington Testimonal in Phoenix Park, there is a tall shaft rising from the centre of Sackville street, to the height of about two hundred feet, which is called the. Nelson Monument. It is a very substantial structure, and contains some ingenious carving representing the four great battles in which Nelson figured, and about which Englishmen can talk for ever. The most interesting

testimonial of this character, to me, was a vault in the Catholic Cemetery near the city, which contains the remains of the celebrated Daniel O'Connell, a man who occupied a high position in the affairs of state, and whose memory is now embalmed in the heart of every true Catholic. The vault is built of plain stone above the ground, with a heavy iron door, upon which is inscribed simply the name of O'Connell, which contains more than any epitaph that could be written. In fair weather this door is kept open, and the splendid coffin, covered with crimson velvet and gold plates, can be seen by all who are curious to gaze upon it. While we were standing at baskets filled with flowers,

the door, several females came up with which they scattered over the vault with great care, uttering at the same time something inaudible, which we took to be prayers for the salvation of the departed.

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Duing the last few weeks an unusual degree of excitement has been created by the commercial men of this city relative to the prospect of establishing a line of steamers between New-York and the town of Galway on the western shore of Ireland. Every preparation was made to receive the passengers that were expected to come over in the North America, which had engaged to make the trial trip. The citizens of Galway enlarged their public houses-made arrangements for a grand entertainment and tournament. The railroad company fitted up their cars expressly to convey the passengers directly through to this city, and the success of the undertaking was regarded as absolutely certain-when the news came that the owners of the steamer had abandoned the idea. I think that if they succeed in establishing this line, the voyage between the two countries may be shortened at least two days, and the dangers of the Irish Channel avoided; but there is no such prospect at present. Liverpool has monopolized the trade too long, and the influence of her commercial men is so great that it will be utterly impossible to change or establish a new line.

LETTER SEVENTEEN.

LONDONDERRY, Ireland.

Difference between the Northern and Southern parts of Ireland-Belfast-Scenery on the Coast Giant's Causeway-Death of a young Scotchman-Wreck of an American Vessel -Irish Hospitality-Londonderry-The River Foyle, etc.

AFTER a tour through the southern counties of Ireland, where desolation and want meet the view on every side, one feels, as he passes along the highly cultivated fields of the north, as if he were transported into another land, among a different race of people. Here there is comparatively no beggary or misery; the lands are better cultivated, the houses of the peasantry more comfortable, and the towns present a more thrifty and business-like appearance. The question naturally suggests itself to the mind as to the causes of so great a change in the same country, and the only answer that can be given, is the difference in the character of the people. Those that inhabit this section of Ireland are descended principally from the Scotch, and have inherited to a considerable degree their habits of industry and frugality; while on the other hand the descendants of the Celtic race are by nature less provident, and consequently not so prosperous.

The city of Belfast is the largest and most beautiful place in North Ireland, and is connected by rail with Dublin and the interior counties, making it a place of considerable importance in a commercial point of view, aside from its extensive interest in linen manufactures. It is rather a singular sight as you approach the city, to see large fields covered over with immense quantities of linen put out to bleach, giving them in the distance the appearance of a winter scene after a heavy fall of snow. The linens of Belfast are regarded as the best in the world, and constitute the principal article of their merchandise. The streets are wide, built up with great regularity, and kept perfectly clean and decent, which is a little. more than can be said of most cities. The docks are extensive, and always present a scene of activity which is far more interesting to a man who lives in a progressive country than the dull monotony of inertness every where visible in the south and west.

Near the docks there is a large archway about one hundred feet in height, which was erected two years ago to receive Victoria, when she honored Pat with a visit. It is constructed of wood, and constitutes one of the most prominent objects in the city. On one side is inscribed in letters of living light, "God save the Queen," and on the other, in the Irish language, "One hundred thousand welcomes to you." The Queen's reception is said to have been warmer here than at any other place she visited during the tour-a demonstration of loyalty that gratified her beyond measure, as it was wholly unexpected. She returned to Buckingham Palace highly pleased with her Irish subjects, and expressed the opinion that they were a better people than the world gave them credit for.

Leaving Belfast, we passed along the sea-shore in an Irish jaunting car, to the Giant's Causeway, which is a pleasant day's drive over a beautiful road, and through scenery of great singularity and wildness. The Causeway is regarded here as one of the wonders of the world, and is resorted to by thousands every week during the summer months, who are curious to behold and admire the works of nature. After enjoying a good dinner at the Causeway House, and getting rid of the swarm of specimen venders that infest the whole neighborhood, we proceeded quietly with our guide down a narrow pathway to the sea-shore, where we were shown for the first time this great phenomenon. Like almost every one that goes there, we were at first sadly disappointed-having actually stood upon the rocks without being aware of it-inquiring of our guide all the while, "Where is the Causeway?" But this disappointment was not of long duration, for when we came to examine into its formation and singularity, we felt fully compensated for our trouble. It consists of a series of stone columns extending several hundred yards into the sea, with a gradual descent forming an inclined plane. Each block is about one foot in diameter, and varies in length from three to six feet, fitting into each other with as much nicety and precision as if it were done with the hand of art. No two of these columns are alike in shape; some are hexagons, some heptagons, and others octagons, and every other conceivable formation. The beauty of the Causeway has been very much impaired of late years by the removal of the most curious blocks to different parts of the world as specimens for exhibition. You will find them in London, Paris,

and even in Philadelphia-and, as a matter of course, in Barnum's Museum.

After viewing the Causeway to our satisfaction, we consented to be rowed in a small boat by four sturdy Irishmen into the caves, more in conformity with custom than any pleasure we expected to derive, for we were pretty well convinced before starting that they. were humbugs, exaggerated in order to squeeze a few more shillings out of the visitor's pocket. They repaid us, however, by rowing the boat out into the sea, from which we had a beautiful view of the lofty heights formed of a succession of columns, and extending for miles beyond as far as the eye can reach. Our guide was particularly loquacious, and grew quite eloquent in his description of the attack made by the Spanish Armada upon one of the heights, which they battered down in the night with cannon balls, thinking it was the Castle of Dunlose, about four miles off. He also pointed out a place formed of a succession of small fluted columns resembling pipes, and called the Spanish organ, from its similarity to that instrument. These heights are always covered with sea fowl of every description, that congregate there to receive shelter and build their nests in the fissures of the rock. Quite a melancholy accident took place there a few weeks since. A young man from Edinburgh, in the morning of life and of great promise, descended from the summit to the distance of about fifty feet in an attempt to reach one of these nests, when he became dizzy, lost his support, and fell about two hundred feet into the sea. His body was found some four days after by his brother, much mutilated and disfigured.

The northern shore of Ireland is considered by navigators as exceedingly dangerous, on account of the high seas and great number of rocks forming ledges below the surface of the water, and extending for miles in some places from the main land. Several wrecks among them an

have taken place during the present month, and American vessel from St. John, loaded with lumber. The crew were all saved by fishermen, who picked them up here and there on planks upon which they floated all night in the storm.

The city of Londonderry, so celebrated in history on account of its long and memorable siege, is the most beautifully situated and interesting place in Ireland. The old wall that surrounded it originally is still kept in good repair, and stands as a monument of its