Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-09-23

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Correspondence Of the Washington Standard,
VIcroR1A HOTEL, LAKES OF KILLARNEY.
Leaving Cork over the great South
ern and Western Railway, much hand
some scenery is to be enjoyed, but
nothing of special interest breaks the
journey until We arrive at Mallow,
about two hours run, where passen-
gers change cars for Dublin. From
Mallow to Killarney (three hours, run)
the scene changes, and we pass over a
very barren and desolate tract of cpun-
try, very monotonous but for the ex-
tensive peat boys and heaps of fuel
piled up to dry and the frequent oppor-
tunities of studying Irish cabins, COM
posed of cobble stone and mortar, with
thached roofs, squatted here and there
along the route. As we approach Kill
larney, the mountains of Kerry rise up
before us. Taking the cab of the Vic
toria Hotel, we are driven at once to
the lake shore, a mile distant from
the village. This is said to be the
greenest spot in Ireland, and more
worthy of being visited than any other.
The lakes are three in number
Middle and Upper Lake-united by
straits, and in such close proximity as
to be considered one. They are stu
ated at the base of the hills and noun
tains, and to an American seem quite
small. Their entire length is about
eleven miles.
Mounting our jaunty car, in COM
pany with three fellow passengers, we
are carried to the west about four miles,
along the northern shore of the Lower
lake crossing bridge over the river
Laune. One mile further over a wild
country, brings us to the entrance OF
the Gap of Dunloe. Very near the
road curious relict of antiquity is to
be seen, known as the
CAVE OF DUNLOP.
This was discovered near forty years
ago by some workmen, who, while con-
structing fence, broke through and
on examination it was found to contain
several skulls and human bones. And
from certain written characters on the
stones of the roof it is evident these re-
mains were deposited there by the
Druids, anterior to the introduction of
Christianity. Not far from this, stands
the cottage of the celebrated Kate
Kearney. From here, Kerry ponies are
taken through the Gap, wild deep
gorge four miles in extent, to the head
or the Upper Lake. The Toe, small
but rapid stream, traverses the glen
its whole length, expanding at different
points into five small lakes, of which
the best and largest is called Serpent
Lake. This is situated in the widest
part of the gap. and here it was, $50
says tradition,) that st. Patrick des-
troyed the last of the serpents. o.
casionally our guide tells us, this " last
serpent" comes to the surface of the
lake. Our guide is chatty fellow and
brim full of Irish legends. says to
him:
Pat, do you really believe that
Patrick banished the serpents from Ire
land?"
"Oh yes, sir, it's thrue."
Is it generally believed ?"
cit is, your hoaor. You may think
we're superstitious but we're not, and
if I should live thousand years ]
would believe it, sir"
Few cottages are to be seen anywhere
about the Gap and very little cultivated
land, but judging from the sudden ap-
pearance of friendly danes pressing in
their offers of goats milk and whisky
there must be habitations somewhere.
We here met some of the most persis-
tent and importunate beggars I ever
saw. Some of them followed US full
two miles, to the middle of the Gap,
where We were met by crowd from the
other side who escorted us through.
Here we are at the head of the Upper
Lake, and find our boat sent up to meet
us in readiness 10 take us down. The
Upper Lake is only q miles long and
contains twelve small Islands. Passing
down the Long Range, a rapid stream
two miles in length, which is the only
channel of communication between the
Upper and the Middle Lake, and under
the old Weir bridge. we enter the Mid
die Lake. The old Weir bridge spans
the Long Range at its terminus from
the main land to Dinnis Island, where
by previous arrangement, we were again
met by jaunty car for ride of three
miles along the shore of the Middle
Lake, to o most venerable and interest
ing ruin known as
MUCCROsS ABBEY.
This Abbey was founded about A. d.
1440 for Franciscan friars, by the Nc