The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-14
of some one more fond of genealogical re

of some one more fond Of genealogical re
searches than the writer.
asked Sir William II it was true, as |
had frequently read, ''that snakes did not
aud could not exist in Ireland" He said
not only was this true, but that neither
toads, lizards nor hornets were found in
the Emerald Isle.
He could give no reason for such phe-
nomenon in natural history, nor have l
ever heard or imagined plausible one,
unless it be owing to the excessive damp.
ness of the climate, consequent upon its
insular position, and the fact that tine warm
gulf stream, sweeping up from the South,
washing its shores, and coming IN contact
with the colder air and waters OF the North
Atlantic, creates that constant vapor or
mist whose condensation causes the cold
rains so constant in Ireland and so unfavo-
rable to serpent and reptilian life.
Time, however, which proves oil things,
shed a flood of light upon the subject a
few days after my conversation with Sir
William. 1t was at the "Lakes of Killar-
ney," whilst passing through the weird
and gloomy defile Of the Gap Of Dunloe,
that the Irish guide called my attention to
five small lakes near by, stating that four
of them abounded with fish, whilst the
fifth was entirely destitute of oil animal
life. English naturalists can assign no rea-
son for the fact, but my bog-trotting friend
of guide was ready and eager with rea-
son: "And faith, sir" said he, "there
was time when ould Ireland was as full of
snakes as now of praties, but st. Patrick
of blessed memory had them all kilt in
tirely, and wild his blessed hand threw the
last of the dead sarpints into this fifth lake,
so he did, and its body so pizened the wa
theirs that no crathur can live in them at
all, ct all, SINCE" " Barney" said / to
him, "do you believe this tale you are
telling me ?" And is it behaving it, yer
honor" he answered, "wad l be any bet
Their than haythen if didn't behave it,
when Father AIoriarlty, my own praist,
told it to me? Shure, an sir. It's all
thrue.o
Some of us may remember that after Sir
Edmund Burke had concluded his extraor-
binary speech against Warren Hastings, q
friend Of the latter wrote the following im-
which is apropos to this subject,
as it refers to tho same fact, in the natural |
history of Ireland:
"Oft have wondered that on Irish ground
No venomed reptile ever yet was found;
The secret lands revealeQ-~iu Natures work |
She spared her venom 10 Great a Burke |"
: At Mallow, las miles southwest of Dub.
lin, the then terminus of tho railway, we
took the stage for the lakes, amid wild,
whooping crowd of noisy and ragged beg
CARS who arc found in all the highways and |
by-ways of southern Ireland. And yet |
needy as are these poor creatures, was
assured both by travellers and the drivers
Of the stages that they were strictly hon.
est. About five o'clock our stage drew up
ia front of an Irish cabin for refreshments,
tempted By the inviting sign Meals at all
hours" and moreover urged thereunto
BY long fast since the early morning
breakfast IN Dublin. Calling Tor cup Of
coffee, which the attendant Norah brought
me in good size bowl, was about to in
iulge in that soothing stimulant, but the
first sip tasted so odd, that called the ro-
,y-cheeked waitress to me and said, "No-
rah, this coffee tastes as if mixed with tea.o
'And faith sir" rejoined she "there was
not quite enough of coffee, SO / jist filled
up the rest with tea"
/ lost my coffee, but the joke was
worth the meal