The Portland daily press., 1880-12-13
Dear Old Dublin. /"
Corr Pittsburg Telsgraph.)


Whilst denying this city many qualities gen.
orally deemed essential to capitals. including
cleanliness, must give 1t credit for two things
above all. One Is the shops, which offer un-
usual temptations to the purchaser, and the
other the fair inhabitants who are Of pecul-
lar type oil prettiness, more French than Eng
lish. Their dark eyes and white teeth, their
delicious brogue make good their worldwide
fame. 1t mrst be said, though, that lovely as
they are, aud we'll as they are dressed as
rule, none OF them have seen can be com.
pared for chic with an American / met the
other morning on Grafton street. Even had
not recognized her face as familiar by sight
In New York, should have been able TO take
my oath as TO her nationality: the blonde type
Of beauty, the French bonnet, the graceful
black silk dolman edged with fur, and, above
all, the tiny, high-heeled boots. 80 different
from the quasi -brogans displayed by the beau
ties OF the EmeI aid Isle, all told me that 1t
was the fair, the chaste, the expressive she OF
Yankeadom.
As for the shops they are quite equal in ma
nv respects to those Of New York and London
Il will not say Paris-snd the windows are
arranged with taste. skill, and comprehen-
siveness quite artistic in its way. Everything
there is bright enough to afford an agreeable
relief to the dingy streets veiled more often
than otherwise by the well-nigh incessaut
rain. have been much RECALLED by the fact
that one seems to meet far fewer "sons of the
soil' here than in the States. 70 which, appar-
entity most of the lower classes have betaken
themselves. Here and there there is Q type
of tha anpl.. W., ,vnap 0rt ha b<OU haOu uxra
are both ingenious and impOrtunate but no
more so than in New York; In fact, with one
exception. have been disappointed In finding
in Ireland anything like the positive original
ity which have heard 80 much vaunted. The
internal disturbances are indicated by tho
presence Of q number OF soldiers generally In
red coats, end indeed the barracks here are
simply immense-out Of all proportion, 1t may
be added, to the size Of the men themselves,
whose stature is generally low. Most Of the
privates appear, in fact, to be mere boys, who
Nould scarcely be able TO stand up under .
well directed blow from stout blackthorn.
And that reminds me that biackthorn Is very
naturally made speciality in tho shops here;
so, too, Is bog oak, and whole Establishments
are devoted to the sale Of ornaments fashioned
from this native growth, combined very often
with spar and rock crystal, and necklace Of
shamrock in bog sprinkled with crystal dew
drops is one of the most desirable Of the souve-
Mrs, and the owl shares with the national In
strument, the harp that once through Tara's
halls. the honor Of elaborate and extensive
counterfeiture. pe
have been "th-ough Trinity College,"
which Is close by where lodge, on much tho
same principle as the man who went through
Yale, by going in at the front door and out ct
the back. Its quadradgles are dingy, and not
over-imposing, but the adjacent grounds are
fine. When we were there detachment OF
students were playing lawn tennis with ef-
fusion. There Is Zoo" a. probably every
one knows in Phoenix Park, and the collection
Of animals theie compares very favorably in
deed with thegreat one in Lon ION; there arc
some god white polar bears; an enormous ele-
phant, camel OF much docility. several leo
psrds of fine points. and rs the ''staf", what u
perhaps, the mane not included, the finest lion
In Europe. The handsome beast was born in
these Gardens, and, although only eight years
old, is already patriarch, for be Is, II you
please, the father OF sixty children. There ID
also a"Mormon" In the shape of an ape Of
that species; an ape " ith snout that looks ~
though It were painted . vivid red and blue,
and whose beard is by contrast dingy yellow.
This remarkable animal gets quite the lions
share Of public curiosity, so far MS the monkey
house is concerned.