Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-08-23
NO.. 200.

the river, bridges, castle, cathedral ana
the 'Treaty Stone" The castle, built in
the time of King John, is although in ruins,
noble structure, with seven massive
towers connected by high walls Of inn
mense thickness, making it one of the best
examples of Norman stronghold to be
seen in Ireland. The city has been sever
al times besieged, the latest and most
memorable siege being that by the troops
of William Third, who made many inef-
fectual attempts to take the city, meeting
with several severe repulses. At length
the King offered favorable terms of capt.
ulation, which were accepted by the Irish
troops, and the articles were signed Oct.
), 1851, on the stone which is now mount
ed on pedestal near the end of Thoinond
bridge. The history is not fresh in my
mind, but the treaty, think, consisted of
two parts, civil, the other military
the Irish Catholics claiming that the Eng
lish violated its engagements rs related to
them.
From Limerick we proceeded to Dublin,
calling on the way at Tipperary Dublin
is built on both sides of the river Liffey; is
a fine city, with many elegant streets.
splendid public buildings, and a quarter of
a million inhabitants. The streets are
crowded with people; the ladies are hand
some, and one sees great deal of fashion
and aristocratic high life. Yet there is .
listless air about the people, as though
they had not much to do, and to an Amer
lean at least the city looks rs if it belonged
to the past. Its well supplied with places
of interest and amusement; is the seat of
a University and the higher courts of law.
We spent here and in its vicinity eight
very industrious days in sight seeing.
Some of the most notable things in Dub
lin are the bridges Sackville street, which
no one who has ever seen will forget the
Bank of Ireland, formerly used as the Par
Lament house Trinity College, built in
the Corinthian style and 800 feet in length;
the Castle of Dublin, one of the vice legal
residences of the Lord Lieutenant of Ire
land for the time being, and containing
the throne of the representative of royalty
the Custom House, a quadrangular build
ing of great size and highly decorated the
famous four courts, where the courts of
Queens Bench, Chancery. Exchequer and
Common Pleas are held in one magnificent
pie OF building. with a facade of 450 feet
facing Suns Quay, etc.
The city is well supplied with statues;
among them are one Tom Moore, which
is very heavy and prosaic; one of the
Burke and one of the Goldsmith in front
of Trinity College, both by Foley, and
both admirable In the City Hall is a no.
tceable one of OConnell, by Hogan,
notable Irish sculptor; and remarkable
one of Henry Gratten, by Chantry, full of
life and fire. In the centre of Stackvlle
street and facing the general Post Office is
Il statue of Lord Nelson, on futed col
umn l20 feet high, raised by subscription
among the Irish admirers of the hero of
Trafalgar. s.-.s-sev.s
At No. 2I Merton street is shown the
birth place of the great Duke of Yelling
ton, and at No. II Aungier street the birth
place of Tom Moore, a comfortable look
ing brick house with a bust of the poet in
Il niche in the front wall, and a grocery
store in the basement.
Among the chief places of interest is
the venerable Cathedral of St. Patrick,
begun by Archbishop Comyn in 1870,
cruciform in shape, consisting of nave,
transepts, choir and lady shape The
latter portion was used by George w. as
chapter house for the Knights Of ST. Pat
rick. In the chancel are two mural tab
Swift, once Dean OF the Cathedral, and of
Mrs. Hester Johnston. the ''Stella" of his
muse
The National Gallery of Ireland, sit
uated on Leinster Lawn, though still un-
finished, has cost in private subscriptions
and parliamentary grants upwards of
$l30, 900. The lower room--a very hand
some one-is devoted to the exhibition of
statuary, mostly casts from the antique;
the upper rooms to pictures. Here are a
considerable number of paintings, with
many copies from the old masters. and,
as it seems to me, of no very great merit.
In the ''loau collection" were several re-
markably fine pictures, mostly owned by
Earl Spencer. There is also at present a
fine collection of water color paintings.
lent by the ScienN and Art Department,
South kensington Museum of London.
Also II series of upwards of fifty drawings,
and sketches by the late j. NJ. w. Turner,
r. A., being part of II collection be-
queathed by him to the National Gallery,
Trafalgar Square, London, and lent by
the Trustees of that institution to the Ma
tional Gallery of Ireland. They are very
various in subject. are drawn in lead PEN
ell, pen and ink, sepia tint and tint color.
the first productions of the Great Master
which have seen-and appear to be en-
tirely characteristic.