famous stone so often that she believed fully in all its magic properties; at least she was willing to impress us with the belief, in order to make her fee as large as possible. After some persuasion we agreed with the old lady, that we should not think of leaving the castle without seeing at least the stone that imparts to those who kiss it such rare power, and we accordingly mounted the flight of steps that lead to the summit of the northeast angle, when she pointed out a stone bearing the date of 1703, and worn by the lips of thousands who have visited it as sleek as a new silk hat. Happy is he whose lips touch it, if there be any truth in legends, or the old woman's story, and what traveller will gainsay them! Had Demosthenes kissed the Blarney stone, instead of filling his mouth with pebbles, his eloquence would have been all the sweeter, though not a whit less passionate. Scott, Lockhart, and Maria Edgeworth, have all tried its virtues; and who will not confess the source from whence Father Prout drew all his inspiration? From the summit of this old ruin we had a beautiful survey of the little river called Comane, and the lake surrounded by a graceful fringe of trees, with paths and grottoes for the accommodation of those who desire to visit the famous castle.

A few hours' ride by rail and post coach brought us from the castle to the lakes of Killarney, which are much resorted to in summer by travellers who are fond of enjoying the beauties of nature. The lakes are three in number, and all connected with each other, forming a bed or basin between the lofty hills, deep, sinuous, and gorgy, preesenting every variety of feature of land and water scenery.

Writers have compared them to the lakes in Scotland and Switzerland, which surpass them in sublimity, though not in the beauties of softer scenery. To an American, accustomed to the broad expanse of our northern lakes, Killarney seems in miniature, and he feels as if he were looking at the soft beauties of nature on a very small scale. The hotels on the shore are very comfortable, and the traveller has every inducement to come here, in the way of good living and exquisite scenery. But there is one great objection to this place; you cannot enjoy any thing in quietude for the beggars, who harass the stranger wherever he goes, rendering his visit to Killarney a source of vexation and disagreeability instead of enjoyment.

LETTER SIXTEEN.

DUBLIN, Ireland.

Appearance of the City-Poor-Houses - Police-Parks and Monuments-O'Connell's Vault-Railway to Galway and Line of Steamers to the United States.

NEXT to London, this city may be regarded as the largest and most important in the kingdom, being beautifully situated near a bay of the same name, which always affords a safe and commodious harbor for vessels of the largest capacity. The Anna Liffy flows through its centre, furnishing water sufficient to accommodate boats of light draught, and acting as a kind of drain, carrying off the filth of the city. Over this stream are seven substantial bridges connecting the main streets, which were built at different periods, and consequently present various styles of architecture according to the improvements of the age.

The time has been when this city was regarded by strangers as a place of great beauty and attraction, but through some cause or other it has gone down in the last few years, and now presents the appearance of neglect and dilapidation. The public buildings, some of which are very large and elegant, are kept in good repair, and several of the principal thoroughfares still retain their ancient importance; but the great majority of the streets and private houses show conclusively that the blight visible in every part of the south and west has had its desolating influence upon the metropolis of Ireland. You will be surprised to learn that the poor-houses in this city are pointed out to the stranger as among the most interesting and worthy objects of his notice. What we would keep in the background is here placed in the foreground, and the officers take almost as much pride in explaining the operations of the institution, and hearing the comments of visitors, as an American would in relating the battles of his country. They are certainly very laudable undertakings, that reflect credit upon the government. They are conducted upon principles of a superior nature-dispense much good, and relieve many who are in misery; yet they fail to meet the demands of the public. Thousands and thousands of poor creatures who are compelled to live from hand to mouth-not knowing to

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.

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.