Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1892-01-29
GLENDALOUGH.

Wicklow has been very aptly termed the
garden of Ireland its prominent feature is,
indeed, sublimity--wild grandeur, health
full and refreshing; among its high and
bleak mountains there are numerous rich
and fertile valleys, luXuriantly wooded
and with the noblest of magnificent rivers
running through them-forming. in their
course, IA series of cataracts. Its natural
graces are enhanced in value, because they
are invariably encountered after the eye
and mind have wearied from gazing upon
rude and uncutivated districts, covered
with peat, upon the scanty heritage of
which the small sheep can scarcely find
pasture.
1t is to this peculiar feature-its richly
adorned borders and the ru,--red character
of it's interior-that Dean Swift referred
when he likened the country to a 'frieze
mantle fringed with gold lace"
The "City of Glendalough," a name
which signifies "the glen of the two lakes"
owes its origin to ST. Kelvin, by whom the
abbey was founded early in the Sixth
century. Here in this solitude the saint
laid the foundation of his monastic estab-
lishment. 1t grew rapidly, became a crowd
ed city, a school for learning, n college for
religion, Il receptacle for holy men, a sane
tuary for the oppressed, an asylum for the
poor, Il hospital for the sck-and here he
lived to superintend it for nearly century,
having completed the uncommon and ven
cradle age of one hundred and twenty
years
The vicinity of the county of Wicklow to
the Irish metropolis is of prodigious ad
vantage to those who, sin populous city
pent," require occasional intercourse with
nature, either as II relaxation or an enjoy
ment And perhaps there are few crowded
capitals in the world so auspiciously stu
ated-so Immediately within reach of such
n concolrse of natural beauties
Glendalough is situated in the barony o.
Ballynacor, TWENTY-FIVE Irish miles from
Dublin and five from Roundwood, where a
car is generally hired by tourists who usu-
ally return to Roundwood to pass the night,
for a visit to the lake and ruined city, al
though they may be examined in IA couple
of hours, ought to occupy a day. For those
who are not over particular about creature
comforts, however, there is IA tolerable inn
at GlendalOugh.
One fine July morning some years back,
| made up my mind to pay visit to Glen
dalough and having informed my friend,
Tom Power of my intention, he agreed to
accompany me. Tom was an ardent adj
mirer of the beauties of nature. in fact, he
was ACKNOWLEDGED by competent rritics to
be an artist of considerable ability So of
course, his chief motive in going to Wick
low was to fill his portfolio with sketches
of its charming scenery
Arriving ut the railroad station with our
valiscs packed, we had no sooner purchased
our tickets than one of those Unforeseen
circumstances, which occur mt least once
in the life of every human being, compelled
Tom Power to fOrego his contemplated
trip, mt least for that day.
He intimated that he would be obliged to
postpone his departure until the following
morning, urging me at the same time, rs he
was aware that had nothing of impor-
lance requiring my presence in Dublin, to
undertake the journey alone and to secure
/ if possible IA place of habitation where we
might make ourselves ut home during our
brief sojourn. To this proposal acquiesced
without demur, and was soon on my way
to Wicklow On reaching Glendalough
was taken to the inn, an unpretentious
hosiery. Still, notwithstanding its home
illness, thought |, provided the larcler be
properly supplied, | may enjoy myself as
in O'Connell street.
After partaking of IA light luncheon,
sauntered forth from the inn.
The sweetness and the serenity of nature
gradually brought on pleasant fits of mus
! ing. After three hours ramble | had
beauties enough to fill the sketch book OF
my friend, Tom Power, who | have said
was an enthusiastic lover of the pictur
esque.
AS the shadows of evening began to stea
over the country, | concluded it high tim,
to bid good night to the misty mountains
So closing my portfolio, | betook mysel
back to the inn. My ramble during tn,
day having sharpened my appetite, sa
down and enjoyed hearty meal. | ais,
partook somewhat freely of bottle o
wine Adjoining the dining room was m,
sleeping apartment.
sat for some time lost in strange kin,
of reverie, when the door opposite to m
and communicating with the bar wa
opened by mine host. He informed IN
that he was about to retire for the night
wished me pleasant dream, and finally lief
me alone after he had finished overhaulin!
; my lamp. Once more | sat buried in medi
tation, ndulgng at the same time in tn
luxury of a meerschaum. For quarter q
All muir puilSi away ICllCCI olltICt
My attention was simply occupied wit
the curling mists of tobacco smoke tina
t oppressed the atmosphere of my chamber
While gazing at the blueish clouds tina
were circlng toward the ceiling, wa
somewhat surprised to see a specter, as
imagined, cautiously open the door Hi
face was colorless as parchment, his hal
and beard black as coal and his eyes large
luminous and liquid He was attred il
black from head to foot. His movement
were stealthy.
After crossing the Threshold he locke
the door and withdrew the key. ! felt ove
come with amazement, although he boz
= the appearance of II man of most eXate
station. His next movement was to thro'
himself into IA chair exactly opposite to m
A, and help himself to ii glass of wine. ! wa
= absolutely astounded, still did not intel
y rupt the fellow; he seemed to relish til
: wine, and continued repeating the offens
r until the bottle was more than half empty
e "What will he do neXtY asked mysel
e My establishment increased AS | behel