Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-05-24
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER NINETEEN.

| Dear y y: was well pleased with Dublin
it is beautiful city, having a cheerful, thriving
appearance fine buildings wide, clean streets, ant
many public squares, adding much to the delight
Of the place.
Visited the Bank of Ircland-the same building
that formed the old Parliament houses; also wen
to the castle, geological gardens cemetery, and saw
there the tomb and monument of O'Connell, one
of the beloved sons of Ireland. So much was he
beloved by the poor that they still evince thei
great respect for him by daily dressing his toni
with bouquets and garlands of fresh flowers Thi
they cherish as their last privilege.
Visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, very ancien
building, and there saw the tomb of Dean Swift
and tablet which he had erected to his faithful
man John. The Dean was rector of the Cathedral
Also saw the tomb of the unfortunate woman who
Became mason.
The buildings of Trinity College are finely con
structed and it is said to be very wealthy instu
ton of learning 1t has fine library of about one
hundred thousand volumes, while near the college
is a fine park for the recreation Of the students.
One Of the greatest attractions in Dublin is Phe
nix Park, comprising seventeen hundred acres O
ground, enclosed with a stone wall. Many Of the
old forest groves are still there while young tree.
are springing up in all directions and lovely ra
vines, as designed by nature, wind through the
grounds Herds Of fine cattle and deer roam al
will and at the same time it is open to the public
Eor rdDo div oil ne he
day. Situated in the park are the residences o.
the Lord Lieutenant and Chief Secretary, also ar
institution for soldiers sons, and geological gar
den. We witnessed fine review of about five
family attended in handsome equipages
Attended the opera. Heard Grisi in Norma
had fine house-like the arrangement of having
a promenade saloon. 1t affords delightful recrea-
ton and opportunities of obtaining refreshments.
Such ought to be the case with our theaters.
Dublin is fine city; but there is so much pow
erty and degradation among the lower classes that
one loses half the pleasure of their visit. Side by
side you see splendid mansions and beggars clothed
in rags and filth, old, shriveled women, miserable
looking children, strong, healthy looking men, all
supplicating your charity in the Of the "Holy
Virgin" They do not trouble residents with their
complanings, but seem to depend upon the charities
of strangers. Poor Ireland! feel for her. Its
condition is bad enough in the north, but in the
SOUTH where poverty and degradation exists in its
worst form, it must be terrible.
From Dublin we went to to Belfast, a city cleaner
and more fourishing than Dublin. The inhabi-
tants seem to be more elevated in appearance and
habits and not half the misery is visible. Belfast is
famous for its linen manufactures and the superb
ority of the linen is known far and near. Visited
several of the establishments, and my curiosity led
me into that most abominable of all places-a
whisky distillery. hardly appreciated the expla-
nations given, and never was SO glad to regain the
fresh open air. Took general ride through the
city, saw all that was seea6le, and then taking a
steamer we travelled one night and reached Glasgow
the next morning. which is distant one hundred
and twenty-nine miles. It is a beautiful city, of
one hundred thousand inhabitants. 1t is situated
On the Clyde, and is also noted for its linen manu-
factories.
Visited the old Cathedral and Metropolis monu-
ment to Knox. The Cathedral is a venerable old
building, much decayed, but now being renovated.
The crypt is the finest have seen. Glasgow is a
fourishng city, well built, and great improvements
are now going on in commerce and manufactures.
Looked at the largest ship, being built, that ever
saw.
We devoted one day to Loeb Lomond the most
noted loch in Scotland 1t is certainly beautiful
lake, almost equal to lake Como in some respects,
yet dissimilar in general appearance. We had
fine day for our excursion The little steamer, filled
with passengers, sped lightly the water, while
on every side the scenery was charming. OldBe
Lomond towering his emerald head far above every
mount. Almost every spot in these regions is rem
dered interesting by the legends of Sir Walter Scott
Saw Rob Roy's cave with old Rob standing in front
Of it. We dined at the extreme end of the lake,
and then returned to Glasgow. Passed one night
there, and next morning proceeded to Ednburg.
must say the sight Of that dear old city was more
welcome to me than that Of any other place-at
least in Great Britain. l loved the history of it
when child, and my early partialities have grown
with me. Although there are few fine buildings
parks or other places of attraction, still it seems
beautiful to me. It has no commerce, but is noted
for its universities, and is, truly speaking, literary
,ity. Our hotel is finely situated, where we have
perfect view Of the old city and castle, also Of
he fine monument to Sir Walter Scott.
The old and new town are as different as if miles
If territory separated them. The new town is well
ouilt streets wide, houses commodious, not more
han four stories high, while in the old town the
streets are narrow, the houses narrow, and some
lines twelve stories high. Our first visit was to
Carlton Hill, where we assembled a monument
erected to Nelson, and had good view Of the
'ity. As if by instinct, turned towards Sir Ar
hurs Seat, Salisbury Craig and Holyrood Palace.
We then went to Holyrood Palace. The building
tsef is not remarkable, but associations hang
'round it, cherished by all who ever read Of the
I'D career Of poor Mary ofScotland. We assembled
o the apartments Of Mary. They retain her bed
nd furniture as she left them. Were shown
title chamber adjoining her bedroom, and through |
which only was there passage to it where Bizzio
thu hIooJ