The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-11-18


Matthew, the great Apostle of Temperance.
The Cork people are proverbiai for sWeet
tongues. but must say moro polished, gem
erous. good natured people would not wish
to know. There are some splendid churches.
rich in architectural beauty, in thia city;
among them the celebrated church of St.
Anne ShaEdon, with its grand chime Of
sweet toned bells. The inimitable Father
Mahoney (Prout) has immoitalized this in
song:
"On this I ponder
Where'er / wander.
And thus grew fonder,
Sweet Cork, of thee.
With thy bells OF Shandon,
That sound SO grand on
The pleasant waters
OF the river Lee
The Cork people have Of late years earned
the honored title of rebels, owing to their
persistent efforts against British tyranny AID
wrong. Within FIVE miles of Cork is the
far famed
BLARNEY STONE,
which curiosity led ne to visit. This cele>
brated stone, which possesses so much magic
persuasion, Is situated at a height of one
hundred fand twenty feet on the tower Of
Blarney castle. Persons desiring to add
some sweetness to their tongues by kissing
it, must suspend themselves by the hee's.
head downward. from the summit of the
tower at the giddy height of one hundred
and twenty fleet from the ground. Some
poet has versiied it as follows:
Z" There is stone there, whoev sr kisses,
Oh he never misses to grow eloquent
'Tis he Eany Chamber to a lady's chamber,
Or become member of the Parliamens."
TSome aspiring politicians from Cambria
4pfy Il xuall fn YNlo
visit, so that they might be sure of gaining
Congressional honors. Near this famous
castle is remarkable immense CromIech,
or Drud's altar, inscribed with ancient Og-
ham characters which / could not translate
Leaving Cork by train l found myself il
four hours after in
THE CITY OF THE VIOLATED TREATY
whose every page of history is written in
deeds Of daring yalor and intrepid gallantry.
To any one acquainted with Irish history the
name of Limerick is sufficient to call to
memory the glorious Sarsfield, who defended
its walls against the ruthless William, Prince
Of Orange, and his hired mercenaries. The
siege of Limerick forms too prominent page
in history to need much notice at my hands.
1t was then that the mother, the wife and
the sister fought side by side with the son.
the husband and brother, till they put to
ignoble fight the paid English and Dutch
soldiers of the upstart king. William, fiud-
ing that he could not conquer as he did at
the Soyne and Aughrim concluded to make
a treaty with Sarsfeld and his men. Itwas
mads and signed, but like all promises made
by English monarchs, or their minions, it
was shauefully broken ere the ink was dry
on the parchment. The stone on which the
parchment rested while it was being signed
is preserved as liUing proof of broken
British faith. 1t can now be seen on a neat
ly finished pedestal, while the stranger can
read its history. which is cut in large letters
at the base. The next historical place which
attracts the tourists attention is St. Mary's
Cathedral, This is situated in that part of
the city known az the English town. 1t was
built nearly thousand years ago, and con-
tnued to be used as place of Catholic wor>
ship until the Reformation. when it was
wrested by British guns and bayonets from
those who possessed it. Any one going
through it need not be told that it was once
Catholic church. for there, quite visible.
are the ancient ''hoiy water troughs'' aud
baptismal fonts used by the Catholics also
places whore the altars were. / paid six
pence (about twelve cents) to the sexton for
the privilege of going up on the tower. This
/ did by means of long winding stone
stairs. From the top OF this tower had a
full view of the whole city and surrounding
country. Such grand scenic tableau can
not be we'll described. The busy busting
city is on every side of you, with its numer-
Gus fine. rich buildings, its many noble edi>
fees dedicated to the Lord, whose lofty
spires bear the emblem of mans redemp-
ton right in view flow, in limpid streams,
the mouarch of Irish rivers, the lordly Shan>
non, on whose broad bosom sail stately ships
bearing flags of various nationalities: away
in the distance is the very ancient Abbey Of
Mungrid, whose ruined ivy-clad walls re-
mind the traveller of yore, when learning,
piety and science found home under its
roof-the whole forming az beautiful pano.
rsmic scene as could ravish the eye of gift>
ed artist or poets lofty imagination.
For the present. dear Mac, think have
said enough. intend staying here for some
weeks to come. / was anxiously looking
out for some papers from Cambria county,
but have received none as yet. am impa>
tient 10 see the big majority rolled up by the
Democrats. As soon as get the papers
will write again. The weather here is beau
tiful. / trust my last letter reached you in
| good time. The enclosed address will find
me for about six weeks.
Yours, very truly, ERIoNAoH.