shadowed by trees. At the western extremity of the lake the islands form a cluster, among which that called Ronayn's appears conspicuous, no less from its superior size, than having been selected for the site of a cottage lately erected as a place of entertainment. On the appearance of strangers, an old couple, to whom the care of the place has been intrusted, generally put off from the opposite shore in a little skiff, to welcome their arrival and open the doors of the building. A gravel walk, commencing at the landing, passes before the door of the cottage, and, winding round the rocks, leads to the summit of the island, which is nearly forty feet above the level of the water. No powers of language are adequate to convey an idea of the wildness and variety of the view which opens from this place. The lake is seen in all its intricate windings studded with islands, and bounded by immense mountains,

With woods o'erhung and shagg'd with mossy rock,
Whence, on each hand, the gushing waters play,
And down the rough cascades white dashing fall,

Or gleam in lengthen'd vistas through the trees.

Not a single habitation, not a trace of man's labour, can be discovered in any part of this vast amphitheatre.

Such romantic solitudes are not less calculated to delight the eye of the enthusiastic admirer of the wild beauties of simple nature, than to favour the meditations of the

sage;

It is scarcely possible, indeed, to enter the confines of this sequestered region, without being subjected to a spell, which abstracts the mind from the noise and folly of the world; and banishes, at least for a moment, the desire of returning to the gay and busy scenes of human life. So powerful has its influence sometimes proved, that instances are not wanting of persons, who, on coming hither, have immediately resolved to retire to these distant shades; and, with the permission of the proprietors of the shores, have eagerly determined on the precise situation of their intended retreats. But, as if the spell was liable to be dissolved when the mountains of Killarney receded from the view; or as if a temporary absence from the habitual enjoyments of the pleasures of social life served but to render a return to them more sweet; these visionary schemes have been generally abandoned, on withdrawing from the scenes which gave them birth. One man, however, there was, who actually did retire to this abode of tranquillity. He was an Englishman of the name of Ronayn; and the spot which he selected for his retreat was the small island which yet retains his name. When first I visited Killarney, a part of his little habitation, planted in the midst of rocks, was still standing: it inspired a degree of respect for the place, and gave rise to a train of reflection on the variety of the sentiments which are entertained by men respecting happiness, that object of their constant and eager pursuit. It also led the mind to consider how little was wanting to supply the actual necessities, even of a man who had from his infancy been habituated to the comforts and conveniences of civilized life. Surely then this spot should have been held sacred, as long as a fragment of the habitation remained visible: but the spirit of improvement, as it is often so falsely styled, has swept away

every vestige of Ronayn's cottage; and the moss-covered rocks, where he was wont to seat himself, have given place to the trim surface of a smooth shorn grass plot.

Of the motives which induced this gentleman to make choice of a retreat so solitary, whether they arose from an innate love of retirement, or whether from disappointment in his pursuits; from

Strokes of adversity no time can cure,
No lenient hand can soften or assuage;

or whether they arose from his experience of the insufficiency of what are called the pleasures and luxuries of life to afford permanent satisfaction, it has never fallen within my power to learn. He lived completely secluded from all society; and seldom left the island except to partake of his favourite amusements of shooting or fishing, by which he procured his chief sustenance. Thus singular in his habits, he became exposed to the eye of curiosity; and offended at frequent and impertinent intrusion, he at last grew morose, and extremely jealous of the approach of strangers but his name is still mentioned at Killarney with respect, nay even with admiration.

The intricacy of the shores occasions the upper lake to appear much more extensive than it is in reality: numerous little bays and wooded promontories contribute to diversify them; and several long inlets wind amongst the recesses between the rocks, as if purposely to receive the rivers which rush through the glens of the mountains, and conduct their waters in silence and tranquillity to the lake. Of these inlets the largest and most beautiful is that called Newfoundland, at the eastern extremity of the lake. The entrance into it lies through a narrow pass defended by two vast perpendicular rocks; on passing

which an extensive basin suddenly opens to view, bearing the appearance of a fourth lake, owing to its complete seclusion from the other divisions. On the right of this inlet rises a steep cliff, over-run with straggling trees, which cast a deep shade over the water: the opposite side is bounded by a chain of bleak rocks; and in the centre appears a grove of oaks, out of which issues a river accessible for some way in a boat. Along the banks runs an irregular path, on following which nothing can be discerned for half a mile except the river and the woods; but at the end of that distance a wide space suddenly opens, in the centre of which stand a few cottages surrounded by little fields. The sound of falling water now strikes the ear; and on turning the eye towards the mountain, a beautiful cascade is seen through the trees at the head of a deep glen. It is scarcely in the power of imagination to conceive a more romantic retreat. No vestige of human industry appears beyond the precincts of the hamlet; woods and mountains surround it; and the inhabitants seem totally cut off from the society of their fellow creatures. Nor is the retreat less remote in reality from the busy scenes of life than it appears to be the plough has never left its furrows on this vale; the soil is turned with the spade; and the produce, if more than sufficient for the humble cultivators, is conveyed away on horses, by a craggy path which winds along the borders of the

stream.

The inlet which receives the river of Derricunnihy under the Coffin-point is not less romantic and retired. The cascade on this river, both in beauty and in size, far exceeds every other on the confines of Killarney. From the lake it lies concealed, being situated in the depths of a thick wood; neither can it be approached without much difficulty, owing to the numerous rocks and thick entangled underwood. The water, where it is