The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1878-08-31

rope, with population of 10000. The
next day | went 10 see one of those large
and fiourishing linen factories, of which |
learned there arc in full operation not less
than forty-eight in the place, each mill on
an average employing about FIVE hundred
hands These mills are the handspring Of
Belfast, and found as much activity and
business in this Beautiful city as any other
place in Europe.
Having spent our allotted time in Bel
fast We entered the cars for Dublin. about
six hours ride, the metropolis of Ireland
This we found to be large commercial
city, with population of nearly 400 600
containing some of the most elegant pub
lie and private buildings found in any city
OF Europe Taking one of those famous
Jauntlng cars we took a ride through Pho.
nix Park, near the city. This immense
tract contains 2250 acres of the most
beautiful land, and excepting the famous
Bols DE Bologne at Paris is the most ex-
tensive belonging to any city. Near the
entrance stands Nelson's monument. a
shaft built of whitish sandstone, two
hundred feet in height, presenting an ad.
mirable appearance. Driving further on
we saw flock of deer, and i ascertained
that there are 100 in the Park. One
portion of the Parked is fenced of with
iron for Geological Garden, whilst otheg
portions are used for sporting aud driving,
or are covered with forests. Ifound many
OF the public squares and streets of the
city adorned with fine statues of eminent
men. The houses in this city as we'll as
IN Belfast are neat and cleanly, we'll paint
ed, and present to stranger very favor
able appearance of the place and good
impression of the citizens.
Leaving this fine city we started for
the Lakes of Killarney, 186 miles off,
which we reached in the evening. This
ride took us through much of the lowlands
OF Ireland, not so fruitful or so we'll at
tended as the northern part, although much
Of it is fine and beautiful. In these
marshes they cut their noted turf for fuel.
The soil is black and wet, the water being
drawn off, the ground is spaded up in
blocks about twice the size of an ordinary
brick and stacked up to dry, similar to the
manner a brickmaker dries his bricks.
When dry the blocks are stored away ready
for use and make an excellent fire. saw
much of this cut in Italy, Germany and
Belgium.
The scenery around the lakes of Killar-
ney is delightful, although the waters are
small. 1t requires about four hours to
drive around them. The mountains are
lofty and quite picturesque. There are
two lakes which are connected by small
stream, which is crossed by a bridge. But
the most interesting one is near the top of
the highest mountain, and so deep that its
bottom has never been sounded 1t is fed
from some unknown source, and the water
flows out of it over the lofty mountain and
down its side, forming a most beautiful
cascade.
Leaving the lakes we proceeded to Cork,
passing the famous Barney Castle, con-
siderable city situate at the southern ex-
tremity of the Island, containing a popu-
lation of about $4,000 and presenting
quite business aspect. Here we took a
steamer ard sailed down the river fourteen
miles to Queenstown. The scenery along
this river is unsurpassed for beauty and
elegance by any in Europe. The bluffs
are moderately high, dotted all over with
elegant country seats, amid the most lux
uriant shade trees and shrubbery, giving
them all the appearance of ease and wealth
in their occupants. Queenstown is a very
neat and handsomely built town, with a
large and magnificent harbor in front,
deep enough to float the largest ships in
the world.
Here on Sunday, the 2Sth of July, we
embarked on board the Scythia, bid adieu
to Europe and set sail for our native land,
which We felt very solicitous of seeing
again.
In my travels made every effort to
gain as much knowledge and information
of rural life in Europe as | could, and in
writing my letters | have made an effort
to impart the information thus obtained
for the benefit of those who chose to read
them, the best way 1 could under the
many Gnfavorable circumstances under
which was at times compelled to reduce
my thoughts to writing. One of the most
important items of consideration to Ameri,
can farmers is enclosing their lands and
fencing them off into fields
Before my advent into Europe l was
led to believe that England, Scotland, Ire.
land, as well as other countries, had the
most beautiful hedge fences that the mind
could conceive In this | found myself
sadly mistaken. 1t is true these countrie:
all have their hedges; but they are nc
where dressed up or trimmed. A Wash.
ington County farmer would call them
nothing but brush fences, not fit to eucum
Der the ground The mode of keeping
stock from crossing is by digging deer
ditch along each side of the hedge. Hog,
are not allowed to run in the fields. II
many places brush is piled upon the bank.
as a fence. This neglect to keep the
hedge in order prevails all over Europe
where hedges have been planted, and give:
the land the appearance of an ugly, brushy
character, such as no good farmer desires
to see.
As to the relative products of the coun
try, in comparison to Washington county
would say, we raise everything they
grow, and many more valuable things tha
are not grown in Europe The onle fruit
found in perfection is the grape. l saw
but one orchard of apple trees, and thai
was on the farm of Mr.. Cozens in South
ern England. No peaches, but few cher
ries, or fruits Of the kind are found, anC
when produced they are of very inferior
flavor. No sweet potatoes, watermelons
cantaloupes, or anything of that kind ar,
raised. Indian corn, so desirable an arti
Gle of food for man, as we'll as beast, is al
most unknown, excepting in a portion OF
Italy. 1t will therefore be very readily
perceived what immeasurable advantages
We have over the people of the old world
About the great facilities for busines.
and trade, the people of the United State:
enjoy over the balance of the world, his
torians have written volumes. | have
been in the docks and quays of all the
principal seapOrts of Europe and am salts
fed that the waters of the city of New
York and its tributaries are equal in ca.
pacity to all the quays aud docks l have
seen.
In railway trafc they are far behind us,
excepting in speed, and in this, judging
from the manner l was whirled around