The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1884-06-21
May 18th, 1884 will give some idea con-
.......;.,.. ~. ,.,.,,,.- 81 g,,,, t,l,o.


cerning the prices OF farm labor,
"AXrR1M hiring FA1R.-The half
yearly fair was held yesterday. Farm
servants were scarce, not nearly equal to
the demand, resulting in advanced wages.
Ploughmen got from e7 to sl0 los for
tue half-year; men. from G6 to SO; bows,
from e. to 81; girls, from el los to e3;
women, from G3 to 95 l0s."
Centuries of oppression and unjust
rule have so fettered the growth at home
Of this naturally intelligent and often
brilliant people that it is but natural
that they should look beyond their much
loved Erin for opportunities for de-
velopment.
Queenstown, where we landed, is just
inside Cork harbor and aside from It's
use as sn order station and the calling
of ocean steamers for mails and passen
gers, is not of much importance and
possesses nothing of interest to the tour
ist Cork, about - miles up the hnrbor,
is city Of 100, 600 inhabitants, and the
principal business centre of southern
Ireland. 1t is a very old city aud many
of its streets and buildings are quain;
and anhquated in their appearance. 1t
is divided into two parts by the river
Lee, and on the north side of the river is
locate Shandon Church, with
"The bells OF Shandon,
That sounded so grand, on
The pleasant waters of the river Lee"
Blarney Castle, seven miles northwest
OF the city, is reached by iaunting car,
an Irish institution which must be seen
to be appreciated. 1t is wheeled
vehicle, with high springs and the seats
just over the wheels, facing outwardi
the passengers sitting back 90 back with
the driver in front. With n glib-tongued
Jehu, on a fine day, it forms certainly q
novel and not unpleasant means of trav.
el The castle is quite an interesting
one and dates back to the early history
of the island; but its chief attraction i.
the far-famod BIarney Stone, said tc
possess miraculous powers, giving tc
those whose lips touch it that oily, per.
suasive eloquence so hard to resist; il
being an old saying that whoever had
kissed the Blarney Stone could coax a
potato away from pig" Tue stone it.
self is at the bottom of the battlement,
which rises from butresses outside the
main wall, about two feet below its tor
and nearly 100 feet from the ground. II
formed originally the support between
| two of the buttresses; but it is now held
in place by two iron clamps which bind
| It to the battlement above. An opening
| between the battlement and the main
wall allows visitors to risk their necks il
leaning down and out to reach this
wondrous stone. The drive 10 and from
the castle is through a very picturesque
country, but the low, thatched stone
bowels of the peasantrY give evidence o.
| abject poverty, which is not pleasant tc
contemplate.
From Cork to Killarney is ride o.
about three hours by rail and the tour
list is at no loss for novelties TO amust
himself with. The cars are not like
American railway coaches, open from
end to end with an aisle through th,
centre, but are divided into section.
crosswise, with the seats facing eacl
other and doors at each end of the sec
tions opening outward. They are divid
ed into first, second and third classes
the principal difference being in the up
holstering; as sections in all three classes
are frequently found in the same car
The trains take the left track in passin,
instead Of the right as in America, an,
the same rule holds good for all vehicles
on the highways.
The Lakes of Killarney are surrounded
by some of the most delightful scener,
that can be imagined. The views ar
not grand and majestic like our owl
Rocky Mountain region, but for quiet
simple beauty they cannot be surpassed
The principal lakes are three in number
the Upper, the Middle or Muckross, ant
the Lower or Lough Leane. They ar,
connected by water courses of greater o
less width and the distance from one eX
tremity to the other is about IA miles
All are studded with islands and at eacl
turn new view meets the enchanted be
holder A short distance east of th,
! Lower Lake is situated the remains o
| Mackross Abbey, very interesting ole
ruin whose history dates far back into
the past. There, on lovely Sabbath il
May, We worshipped. Nature preached
the sermon, the winds played the organ
the birds sang the hymns and oursel
with the spirits of those deyout monks
who ages ago bowed here. was the con
gregation. Who can say it was not
/ In &c 80
fallen in the Lower Lake, is found th,
remains of the Abbey OF that name, on,
of the oldest in Ireland and which wa,
at one time quito extensive. But Iittlt
is now LETT OF lis former greatness. Ii
the west of the lakes and about sevel
miles from the village OF Killarney, i,
the Gap of Dunloe; a wild and ruggeC
pass through the hills, rendered famous
by the stories Of Kate Karney, the Col
leen Bawn, etc. The entrance is reached
by jaunting car from the town, but abou
five miles of the distance through th,
! gap must be made on foot or on horse
back. We secured the services of an olt
! weather beaten resident as guide, who
with wind broken bugle promised tc
awaken the most wonderful echoe.
among the hills. and under his direction
We went on, past Kate Karney's cottage
| where a lineal descendant of tho only
original Kate, invited us to take glas,
of goats milk with "wee bit of poth
cen" in it; following the course OF tn,
! river Loe. which wideus into lakes at
| several points, until we reach Tie BLACK
Lough.' where st. Patrick is said to havt
! shut mp the last snake in Ireland in Q
large iron bound box and cast it into the
lake. As neither box or snake are al