Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-07-02
[coMMuNIcArED.l
Letter from Europe.
n,.,,,y Iraland Jnno

streets or thoro fares, as wen as many OF the more
obscure streets, where, from priestcraft and po-
litcal oppression the most revolving spectaces Of
poverty and human degradation arc crossing
your patll at every step. Dublin has many beau
| tiful streets, among which stands prominent,
Sackville Street. 1t is the Broadway of this
CITY. 1t is one of the most beautiful Avenues i
have ever seen compactly built, lofty houses OF
a uniform height, and many presenting very mag
nificent fronts. About midway in the street,
stands a granite Monument, erected to the mem
ory of the brave Nelson, 100 feet high On it
are sculptured his deeds OF chvalry and glorious
victories, which crown his memory with new
er-fading wreath of fame There are many 9TH
er streets beautiful and attractive, but of less pre-
tensions in costly magnihcence and display
The principal streets are wide, Sackville being
200 feet Id width contributing much to its at
tractive appearance. Dublin has many points
of interestto the tourist. 1t is said to have
been founded in the 1st century of the Christian
era. Whether it dates its origin so far back or
not, is q matter of some speculation, but certain
it is, that Ptoemy speaks of it i'll the 14Oth year
of the Christian era, under the name Of Eblana
! Its antiquity leaves many relics OF past ages,
which combining with their peculiar and unique
! structure, historic associations invest them with
much interest to the traveller. / can butglance
at few OF the most prominent points and pa-
ces. We will first visit the Bank of Ireland
IL stands Oh Westmoreland street, and when seen
| from Carlisle Bridge, in conneXlon with the Col
lege, they form most picturesque and interest
| ing architectural group. The Bank has long
been considered as the architectural gem OF Dub
lin, and some travellers have even described 1t
as unsurpassed by any secular building in Europe
1t was erected in 1929 as the Irish Parliament
House, at cost of Eos, 900, and in which the l.
rish Parliament held its sessions until the act OF
Legislative union, passed between Ireland and
Great Britain. 1t then passed into the custody
of the Governor and Company OF the Bank OF
Ireland. In the principal 'front.' facing the col
lege green, is large quadrangular recess, which
forms kind of courtyard round the sides OF
which passes q magnificent Coonnade, in the l.
onic style supporting an entablature and cornlce
surmounted by an attic. The Tympanum OF the
principal Portico, contains the Royal Arms, over
which is q grand Colossal Statue OF Illbernla,
supported by Fidelity and Commerce. The en-
trance from Westmoreland street, consists OF
Corinthian Portico. of six columns, with lynn
panum and Statue of Fortitude, supported by
Justice and Liberty. The interior of the build
ing corresponds with the exterior. The liouse or
Lords is a splendid apartment, ornamented with
tapestry, representing the siege OF Derry and the
battle of the Boyne. The Statue of George the
Third occupies semicircular recess, where for
merly stood the Throne; that being the only al
teration in the apartment since the abolition OF
the Irish Parliament. The chairs and desks are
preserved with much care, thus causing pleasing
as well as melancholy associations with the Irish
patriot, as he gazes on these relies OF the past
The House of Commons is now used by the Bank
of Ireland. Leaving the Bank of Ireland, we
will pass over to Trinity College, founded IN
1892, under the auspices of Queen Elizabeth
There are, ut present, 20 Professors and 30 AS
sistants, not including those OF DIVINITY, Law
and Medicine. The number of Students, at
present, is about 1900. The principal building
is 800 feet in length, 600 feet in depth, and four
stories high. The other features OF the College
are the Chapel, the Examination Hail. the Libra
ry, the Refectory, the Anatomical House, a
Printing House, and Canipanile now in the
course of erection The Library contains $50,
900 volumes-a rare and interesting collection OF
Books There is also, quite collection OF Ara
bian and Egyptian Hyeroglyphics. The latter
on Paparis obtained from Egyptian mummles.
Dr. Henks Las recently deciphered the Egyptian
Hyeroglyphics and finds they run back as far as
four hundred years prior to the Christian era
He is now preparing his results for publication;
w
work Here in the hall, too, are marble Busts
of many of the most distinguished men OF Ire
land as well as the classic lands of Greece and
Rome. In expression and feature, they are
claimed to be fac SMILES of the living. Ad-
Joining, is the Dining Hail. which contains some
five hundred Portraits. Anonst others, are
those of Frederick, Prince of Wales, Gather OF
George the Third; Cox, Archbishop OF Cashel I;
Provost Baldwin Lord Avonmore, LORD hll-
warden, Grattan, Burgh, and Chief Justice
Downs.
The anatomical Museum is quite extensive
and exhibits some rare aud interesting freaks OF
Nature. Among the collections, is the skeleton
of the Irish Giant, Magrah, 8 feet inches high,
is frame of IIerculean mould. Near by is the
skeleton of u man who died at the advanced age
of 90 years and 8 months. His bones (the exte-
rior surface are completely ossatied, and were
in that condition at the time OF his DEATH
The next is the Museum & Cabinet. Here is a
fine collection of Minerals great variety OF
weapons, ornaments and dress from the South Sea
Islands; also many interesting Antiquities. A.
mong the rest is the Harp of Brian Borolhme,
king of Munster, killed In the Battle of Clon-
tarff, 10l4. The Harp was captured at that
battle and presented to the Pope of Rome. The
Pope subsequently presented to Henry the Sth,
who returned it to Ireland, where it remains as
a relict of great interest to the true lrishmen.-
| was fortunate in making tie acquaintance OF
DR.. 0'Conner whose suavity OF manners blend
ed with his fine attainmeuts made my visit to
the College both agreeable and interesting. In
the Medical Department of this College STU
dent cannot offer as u candidate for graduation,
under four years from the time he matrlculates.
Each year comprises two sessions; the winter
session G month & summer session 3 months
Cbrist's Church Cathedral is rich in historical
associations. and hence we will give it passing
notice It was built in 1893 and is said to stand
on the site of fortress erected In the ninth
century by the Northmen. In some recent ex-
cayations Mt the church, very singular collec-
ton of antiquities belonging to the Danish peri
cd. were found TLcy are now in the custody
of the Roval Irish Academy. The building con-
sists of nave and choir, a massive square tower
rising from the intersection. 1t has all the char
aeteristics of the heavy Gothic Architecture
! These and many monuments, among which the
visitor will be struck with one in the Eastern
nave, to the memory of Richard Strangbow, the
first and principal invader OF lrelanc, in 1l69.-
| In immediate connexion with his monument is
small tomb, presenting hgure cut in twain.
Tradition SAYS this figure represents Strong
bows son who was cut IN two 1or having IN
glorously fed from the heid OF battle. a walk
Of a yery few minntes will bring us to St. Pat
riet,s Cathedral, erected in 100. The whole
langth of the building is 800 feet by so in
breadth Of which space the nave occupies 1870
feet % the chair 90, St, Marys Chapel 55. In the
navs Of Of this Cathedral are many monuments, !
sbolI sib notice bnt one or two. The last resting
,l"oa Of the celebrated Dean Swift is represented
bv @ a nlain marble slab, and near by is a similar
sab Of Mrs. Hester Johnston, better known as
Stella. The most unique monument is that OF
. blanL marble slab, to the memory of the Duke
d Of y;,, Schomberg, killed at the Boyne in 1690-