The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1872-01-13
letter HON, Ereland--Ne. S.
Correspondence of Cambria Freeman.I

1HURLES, IRELAND, Dec. %, 1871.
DEAR MAc-My last left my cousin Ma
rion and myself on Derry Castle, admiripg
the rare scenic tableau spread before us like
one of those fairy. fancy>painted landscapes
we read Of in novels. We descended as well
as we could and nado for 'home," passing
On our way Che splendid residence of VIM.
Spaight, Esq, j. P. l have not seen a
grandsr or more costly private residence
since l came to this country. I was told that
it cost to build it upwards Of forty thousand
pounds. cr about two hundred thousand dol
lars. How is that for high ? Arriving at
Marion's hospitable homo, [ found a Wholc
bcvy of heart~smashing, rosy~Cheeked, ruby
Tipped, bright-eyed fair ones, accompanied
by some respectable-looking gents After
being introduced to all as My cousin from
America" recherche supper was laid before
Us. Having done full. justice to the eatableS
and driukables, we were shown into richly
furnished room, where soon after We went
through all the manCeuyTes of the TerpsichO-
rean art. Before We "Trip on the light fan
tastic toe,' l will sketch some of the Jolly
fair ones who were the life of that evenings
pleasure. So,. Monsieur Mac.
PLACE AUX DAME3.
''Nako way for tho ladies'" At the piano
sat the beaming-eyed, swan neckea, talented
Georgina, whose fary>like fingers seemed to
iTnpart an additional charm and harmony to
the sweet-toned instrument. On my right
was the affectiOnate, gentle, smiling, dimple-
checked Marion, whose animated eonversa>
tional powers proved her to be possessed Of
rare talent. Next her sat pretty little Maud,
with rosy cheeks, coal black eyes, and sweet,
tempting lips. On my left vas the smiling,
begniling, bswitching, merry Madaline,
whose large, mischievous. heart-leyelling,
musical dark-blue eyes were more than suf>
fcient to lay PROSTATE whole army in the
ranks of Cupid. Next her sat the sprightly.
dashiug, love making Bsssie Lavinia, with
lustrous eyes and pouting lips. My Uis- a.
r,s was the good humored Aileen, round
whose pretty mouth smiles loved to play,
and in whose tall. symmetrical portraiturs
nature may well lay claim to Perfection
Near her sat The confding, agreeable, loud
laughing Rosamond, whose merry ringing
laugh, like the swelling notes of sweet music,
betekened light, Joyous heart. It would
be an endless task were to sketch Ia detail
all tho captivating charmers who shed halo
Of lustre, beauty and merriment around that
festive board. Add to all this a room on
whose walls were hung Hfelike portraits of
Ireland's ancient warriors and modern heroes,
and then you may have faint idea Of this
fair, social gathering of Irish beauty. After
the other gents and myself had spun the
gay gals in the prancing polka, the wild
waltz and the gay gallop, we rested little,
during which we had some splendid vocal
music. A thrill of delight ran through my
very soul when the musica-eyed Madeline
warbled forth, in r gushing, soft, rich, mel.
lihuous voice, "She is far from the land
where her yourg hero sleeps" If the de-
parted spirits of the noble Emmstt and lovely
Sarah Curran could but catch the dulcid
echo Of tho soft strains. as they waited, like
silvery music, it would prove that their
memory Is cherished by Tipperary's fair
daughters. Marion, in her own rich, sweet
voice, sang,
Rich and rare were the gems She wore,
And a bright gold ring on her wand she bore;
But, ali her beauty was far beyond
Her sparkling gems and her snow white
This exquisite song brought us back to
the reign of Boru, wien tradition and histo-
ry tell as that a beautiful lady, with gold
galore, could travel over Ireland, with no
protection but frail wand, and would nc;
be molested. The lively little Maud, to
compliment me. gave us "The Sword Of
Bunker Hill" and indeed right admirably
did she render it. phe beautiful Goorgina,
the gay ROsamond, the rollickiug Aileen,
and all the other handsome fair ones, We'd
with each other In Irish minstrelsy. A word
now for the gents. One gentleman, Mr..
Flash, who was dressed up in the pink Of
fashion, treated us to medley, which he
com menced with
''0h, say would you find this same BIarney?-
There's castle not far from Killarney;
On the top OF the wall
But take care you don't fall
Ihere stone tnat contains all this Blarney.
Soft is his cOlleen's sunny eyey
Her mien is mild, her step is airy;
On she's the Pride of Tiperary."
The next was bizarro,looking gent who
lu1uriated in the name of Mortimer Peter
Multooney, who made all the apologies pos
sible that he could not sing, but he would
try and recite. He stood up, and placing
one foot about three yards, more or less, in
advance of the other, he declaimed, the
Downfall of Poland" This soul>s!irrine
piece seemed to give him new courage. when
he next gave us the Exile Of Erin'' in the
vernaCuiar. Here is one verse from memory.
but will not vouch for the spelling:
"Du hanig cum ma taoide, Dibreach, o Erfnn:
Il lea tlugh, o! un spacr, agus a eadugh, Oi
un ar;
Blu scusfur--'
But hold, 1 can't DO it, for my pen kicks and
splutters. The other gents sang some old
Irish melodies and modern American airs.
L was completely nonplussed when it came
70 my turn, as l never learned whole song
in my life. but fortunately picked up one
verse of Young America to Old Ireland"
which ] thought would be appropriate on
such an occasion. Hero it is
SHOULD Ireland raise the standard Green,
Resolved TO free the land.
She'll find that Young America
Will lend q helping hand.
aye, men and money we will give
The British to o'erthrow,
For the deeds of Young America
The world does surely know"
This was applauded to the echo, not for
the singing, but for the sentiment so you
bet / was glad to get off SO easily, and con-
tin ue my soft talk" to Maud and Bessie
Lavinia. a killingly dressed gent named
Mr.. COwand next favored us with the maids
of Merry Ireland" and the Lass of Rich,
mond HILL" made this gent little ner-
vous by engaging too much the attention of
his Bessie Lavinia, about whom be was aw-
fully spooney. could see him casting some