The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-10-21

tnuslasm OF the lntelnbent anu lduy-llke prIn-
cipal OF the quiet industry, the aptitude, and
the bright, happy, grateful look of her pupils
| must not forget to mention that In this excel
lent work Catholics and Protestants, the be-
nevolent and liberal of all parties and sects are
united, and that the entire cost of its sustain
ment does not exceed four hundred pounds a
year.
The country around Belfast is finely cultiva-
ted and exceedingly picturesque. have rare
pleasure in driving about, with my friends, on
an easy outside cara vehicle by the way, to
which | have become especially partial-and
visiting places of remarkable beauty or interest
One of our drives was to "The Giants Ring
an immense Drudical amphitheatre, enclosed
by high, regular mound, with the mystic
number of seven openings, and containing
rude cairn, supposed to have been used as an
altar for human sacrifices by the priests OF
the bloody faith" 1t is also supposed that the
mound was once high enough to shut out all
views save that of the heaven above. The
place is utterly without trees or shrubbery;
vet no deepest valley, dark and cold with forest
and mountain shadows ever wore to me a
more lonesome, desolate, and solemn aspect. |
shivered and shrank with a vague sense of
mystery and fear, as strove to send my soul
dim, barbaric centuries-to bid it stand among
that vast surging concourse of savage worship
pers, and to witness those awful rites, where,
for pious chanting, were the groans and cries
of the victims; for baptismal and holy waters,
the sprinkle and gush of their blood; and
where, for wreaths of sweet incense, went up
the thick smoke of their burning.
We made pleasant excursion one day, late
L., -, 81, nf OIL tba inf
palace and stronghold of the princcly O'Neills
Masserene Shane's Castle is u noble ruin,
grounds, and grandly situated on Lough
Neagh, the largest lake in the United King
dom Tradition tells us that this great body of
water covers what was once fair and fruitful
valley, with snug cottages and lOrdly castles,
and grand ecclesiastical towers; that this val
lev contained a well, which was never to be
left uncovered for an hour, under peril of a
general inundation but that certain damsel
there is always woman at hand, with your
historians, sacred and profane, when any mis-
chief is to be done,) being at the well, drawing
water, spied her lover at the other end of the
valley dropped her trimming pitcher, forgot
to cover the well, and ran to meet him, fol-
lowed by foaming food which rose and rose,
till maiden and lover cOrn-field and cottage
turret and tower all slept beneath the shining
wave But an old chronclcr states that this
piece of carelessness is to be ascribcd to the
extreme maternal anxiety of n young mother,
who "wente to We well for to fetche water, and
hyed her taste to her childe, who wepte in We
cradele and left We well uncovered" | think
| like this version best. But that there are in
this lake. submarine church establishments,
and that the fish swim about at their pleasure
in castle-keep and courtyard, and, scaly fell
lows though they are, have the entree Of ancient
arstocratc halls, we have the word of Moore ::
Son Tough Neaghs bank the fisherman strays,
When clear cold ewes declining
He the round towers of other days
In the wave beneath him shining
The princely proprietors of those submerged
possessions, who so suddenly sunk with their
sinking fortunes, were after all but a degree
more unfortunate than the modern lords of
neighboring estates who find it extremely diff
cult to keep their heads above water,
Antrim Castle is fine, rather m0dern-l look
ing building, with grounds and gardens laid
out in the French style, very prettily and effect
lively.
There are many very handsome residences
about Belfast, belonging not alone to the no
bility and gentry, but to the citizens trades
men, and manufacturers.
In the meeting and proceedings Of the British
Association, at this place, great interest was
manifested by all classes. This would be moth
ing remarkable in America, where every man.
and almost every woman, feels an equal and
lively interest in all matters and movements of
literature science, morality, and politics; but
here, it is fact significant and inspiring
In my light and hurried sketches of travel
and society in Ireland, have avoided entering
upon those vexed and intricate questions of
government and religion, which have caused
and are yet causing such wearisome and
melancholy amount of discussion and dissen-
sion. England is now, it il evident, honestly
and earnestly endeavoring to repair some por-
ton of the lnnumerable wrongs and the i'm
measurable evil of centuries of misgovernment,
by a milder and juster rule, by noble and i'm
partial system of education among the poor,
by the tightening of taxation, and by annulling
the law of entail, and permitting the sale Of
encountered estates. 1t is a singular fact, that
by far the greater number of the lands thus
thrown into the mar6et have been purchased
by lrishmen. II is to be hoped that large por-
tons Of the South and West of Ireland left for
80 many years to waste and desolaton by titled
spendthrifts and ruined absentees, may be re-
deemed, cultivated, and made profitable, by
Ireands worthier industrial sons. Yet it must
be long very long, ere green Erin smiles in the
face Of the stranger with anything like univer-
sal prosperity plenty, and comfort The char
acter Of her common people has been lowered
in times past by civil and religious oppression,
by examples of spiritual wickedness in high
places" and Of careless improvidence and self.
sh indulgence in their superiors by rank and
fortune. There are many who say that the re-
generation of this country is to be brought
about alone by emigration and mmi grafton
the first of the irish 10 America and Australia:
the last Of the Scotch and English, into the de-
populated and uncultiyated territory here: but
| am strong in the faith that the best work for
Ireland is yet to be wrought by such Of her
sons Is are truly devoted to her good and her
honor, and stay by her in her hour of need.
The strifes and discussions between the
Catholics and Protestants which ran 10 fear
fully high during the late elections, are still
carried on with much spirit creating and
keeping alive uDchristian alterations and en-
mites among the people. The English High
Church, whose grasping after wealth and pow
err, whose manifold corruptions and abuses
smack strongly of "the world and the flesh"
TO say nothing Of the third person in the un-
holy trinity, certainly displays in these contests
q bitterness of denunciation and a sharpness Of
sarcasm more partisan than apostolic while
the Catholic Church has conducted its cause
with high hand, and with more zeal and de-
termination than modesty or judciousness.
The Catholic party take especial pains TO pa
rsde, in an exulting half theatrical and thor
ooughly offensive manner the triumphs Of their
faith, as manifest in the numerous conversions
from Protestantism. The converts themselves
are advertised and feed as you would ffte a
distinguished vocalist or brilliant performer, '