Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-01-27
MISCELLANEOUS.
Sketches of Foreign Travel,
De Cor. JNo. q. G1nsoN.
Continually

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In 1869 the population of Ireland
was only half a million-not as great
as that of West Virginia. Whereas
they have since spread all over Ire
land, and now number upwards of
five millions of stout hearts to vex
their masters. Their number is but
two millions less than was that of the
white population of the Southern Con-
federacy, and but three millions less
than that of England at the time of
our war of Independence. And when
one reflects upon what the South did
for four years of war and what Eng
land did for seven years to hold her
colonies against Holland, France,
Spain and the colonies combined, it
must appear that England cannot af-
ford to despise the power of Ireland.
To return to Enniskillen. The town
is built pretty much upon single
long and curved street, terminating
in beautiful country, and near an
old castle, named Potora, with it's
towers and curtains measurably pre-
served but whose rooms and Offices
lie in heaps upon the ground. It
stands there like thousands of others
in grim, gloomy and sad grandeur,
Drawing time and the elements, and
furnishing light upon the social and
political state of the country in times
past and gone, never to return.
There is a famous school here
named Z" Potora Royal School," and
by analogy to that at Rugby, Eng
land, is called the "Irish Rugby
L do not know of any place in the
world where, if were in my teens,
1 would rather attend school than
here. The landscapes are, some,
bold and picturesque; others consist
of hill and dale, river and lake, all
lighted up by bright sun, inspiring
the soul with a love of nature and Of
natures God. The two lakes, not far
apart, and joined together by river
like cuff links, are inviting alike to
the rover and pedestrian. In short
tits aplace where boys or young men
could enjoy themselves to the fullest
rambling, angling, or rowing-and
hunting, if permitted. There are
VI SdSGISSS
Churches and Forts within short
range of the place, and some of the
finest estates, with the most costly
mansions, and with most beautifully
laid off grounds, belonging to Earls
and the like, within the United King
dom of Great Britain. Castle CooIe,
the magnificent seat of the Earl of
Belmore, but one mile from the town,
has upon it palatial mansion, built
of pure white marble, after the Gre
clan style of architecture in every
particular, sitting superbly on the
crown of gently sIoping hill, in the
midst of meadows, hills and groves,
lakes and avenues, with clumps Of
trees on the hilltop and at short In
tervals in the meadows, all cnlivened
with herds of the finest and handsom-
est short horns, punches of thorough
bred yearling and two year old colts,
deer in small herds running about,
birds, strangers to alarm, water fowl
and wading fowl large and small, and
of the greatest variety, together with
all the game of wing and foot, that
live and breed IN the impenetrable
preserves that belong to these Lords
estates, secure against hawk, hunter
and dog, save when they come out to
feed in the adjoining fields.
The mansion is long, resembling in
that particular, and in its whiteness,
the treasury building at Washington
city. At its centre there is hand
some Grecian portico from the sides,
of which extending to the extrem-
tiles of the two wings are lofty col
onades. 1t was not open, nor did I
see a soul about it. The Earl was at
London in attendance on Parliament,
or abroad on the Continent. I did
not get to see the inside. 1t was
built by Wyatt, distinguished archi-
tect, at an expense of one million
dollars. Along the road leading up
the slope to the mansion I observed
iron CRATES at short intervals, at the
surface of the ground, resembling
those in the sidewalks of our streets
which are used for putting coal into
the cellars. Upon enquiry of my
guide as to their purpose I was in
formed that they are intended to fur
nish light to the carriage-way of La
| dy Betmore who enters her carriage
at aporte cochiere below ground near
the basement of the mansion, and
when she comes to the surface again
it is far off at some point in the park.
These underground passage ways
are nothing new nor rare. It is said
that there is one of great lengthlead,
ing from the crypt of old Haddon