The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-09-18
A Pilgrimage to the Shrine OF
"POOr NOll."
1.-THE Inspired Idiot, Who Talked Like
a Fool, but Wrote Like
an Angel"
Ramblss Among the Scenes Of the Poets
Childhood.
.ssweet Auburn, Lovelfest village of
the Plain"

ATHLoNE Ireland, Aug. IA, 1878.
Sweet Auburnl loveliest village of the plain.
Where health and plenty cheered the lsboring
Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid,
And parting summers lingering blooms de-
Dear lovely bowers of innocence and ease,
Seats Of my youth, when every. sport could
How often have Ioiter'd DER thy green
Where humble happiness endeared each
scene!
Among the earliest recollectons of my
life, and the sweetest, are memories OF my
first acquaintance with the writings of Oliver
Goldsmith, the nOblest OF Irish poets
Almost from the time began to read, the
rhythmical melody OF 'The Deserted Viii
lage' enchanted my senses and the classic
beauties of the Vicar OF Wakefield
dawned upon my childish imagination.
From that time to the present there has
always existed in nay breast an unboundes
enthusiasm for the tender hearted bard and
deep reverence for his genius. His sym.
patty was as gentle as the dew which
sparkled on his native heather; his mind
was as bright and joyous as a summer day;
and his loving heart exulted in the good of
all mankind.
And oft wish, amidst the scenes, to find
Some spot 10 real happiness consigned,
Where my worn soul, each wandering hope at
rest,
May gather bliss to see my fellows blest.
IRELAND REJoICEs IN THE FAME OF GOLD.
SMITH,
aud his writings are as widely known and as
enduring as the English tongue. A noble
statue has been erected TO his memory at the
entrance Of Trinity college, Dublin, by his
admiring cOuntrymen, and many relics have
been collected and carefully preserved in the
museum near at hand. The destroying hand
OF Time hiss nearly obliterated the traces OF
his home in Ballymahon, and only a few
crumblIng stones mark the spot where he
was born in Pallas, county Langford. Sweet
Auburn" only exists in the immortal pic
ture made by the author OF 1.-THE Deserted
Village" for rude huts at rare intervals and
few ruins mark the classic spot.
A pilgrimage to this locality few days
since was the most interesting TO me of any
have yet made in Ireland. The visit was
as unexpected rs IL was enjoyable, and the
treasures l gathered there will form the most
priced relics of my brief sojourn in Ireland.
The scene OF GOldsmiths birth and child
hood IS in the interior and far removed from
the busy haunts Of men. more peaceful
and a more quietly beautiful locality can
not be found anywhere than this. IL is a tit
place for the nativity of a poet and lover
of nature. Here the deep and tender nature
of Goldsmith received its first impressions
from nature and here he imbibed that
ardent love for pastoral life, which
never forsook him, and without which
no true poet can exist These plains and
mores, once familiar with the Goldsmith
family, are situated nearly In the geOgraph.
ical center OF Ireland. The nearest point by
rail is Athlone, from whence the journey Is
made over the smoothest Of Irish pixies,
through the shadest OF lanes, with sweet
scented hawthorn hedges upon either side
and overhanging sycamores, 10
"swEET AUBURN"
must confess that the delightful drive OF
ten miles or more on this summer morninR,
with the soft landscape bathed In sunlight.
with the wholesome air perfumed with the
scent of the primrose and the freshly mown
meadows, with the peaceful kline grazing
upon the hills with the fading outline OF
distant mountains visible on either hand,
and the vivid freshness OF Natures robe OF
green. was SD exhllarating and refreshing
as TO largely disspate my native prejudices
against that homely conveyance the Irish
iaunting car. On fair trial IL turns out TO be-
a very convenient vehicle and a pleasant
mode OF conveyance. A little experience
teaches one that IL is not necessary 10 cling
desperately 10 its sides 60 keep from falling
oil, and more freedom of motion can be en-
j0yed on il than on any other. Its ugly APP
pearance can not be denied, but IL Is a
vivacous vehicle and invariably commune
Gates its good spirits TO its passengers. The
mos DISMAL hypochOndriac will soon find
himself emerging from his gloom on mount.
ing one Of these cars. and an ordinarily
cheerful person is sure 10 be taken with a fit
OF tnmnltuous hliarity. Even a parson be-
der the celebrating influences OF its motion
Hereafter | shall always recommend the
jaunting car in the place Of patent pills.
Generally,
AMERICANS WHO VISIT IRELAND
expect to make the tour in a week. Such
travellers can only see such places as may be
reached by rail, and they know as little o
the people aud the country when they leave
when they came. Ireland Is not land q
be taken in az glsce and dismissed with
breath OF contempt. II is noble country
with glorious history and with tender mem
cries. IL has been the birthplace of poets
orators, heroes and martyrs, aud ~ one pc
Rod il was the cradle OF civilization. IL is
land OF love and song, passion and tender
ness, sadness mystery, romance and legends
There Is scarcely rood OF ground that 10
not been rendered classical by the pen OF bis
tory and its very cliffs hanging over the Sc
NAV relate wonderful tales of what the
have seen. II Is land OF which lrishmeI
may we'll be proud, and which tourists will
DO we'll to visit.
Owing TO the fact that this locality 10 so IA
in the interior and so much removed fror
the route 20 other places of interest, but fe
tourists find their way hilher. Now an
then a scholar or some one who has had hi
heart warmed by the gentle sweetness OF thi
by the classic elegance OF his upapproacha
BILE verse, comes this way to look upon thes
DEAR LOVELY BOWERS or INNOCENCE AN
EASE"
and drop pensive tear to the memory {
Oliver Goldsmith. Such as make the Wis
are we'll repaid. These humble scenes are I
mingled with Goldsmith's lines that ever,
where one turns some object may be seen
arouse the keenest interest, which 0verwhelI
the soul with swelling thoughts that rise |
the eyes in misty emotions. Some may loy
best 20 visit the crumbing ruins OF the sei
OF the power OF he ancient Irish kings, or
look upon spots which have witnessed a
shock OF battle and have trembled to "a
martial tread Of armies; but as for mysel
the scene OF the exploits OF the mightie
hero that ever welded blade or couched
spear could not equal the thrilling sense
pleasure with which plucked leaf from
The hawthorn bush, with seals beneath II
shade,