The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-04-22

claim to be talismans, one on the summit
of the castles tower, which is easy of ae-
cess. and another of much older date,
which in order to kiss, the adventurous
she or "she" must be let down by q
pulley and tackle the distance of twenty
feet. The majority, needless to say,
prefer kissing the former. but occ isionally
love sick youth in sheer despair braves
the latter. Let us hope he earns his re-
ward. The origin of the custom is lost
in obscurity, but our good friend
legend. tells us that lord of Barney,
being required to show his loyalty to the
English by delivering up his castle ex-
pressed his Willingness but put off the
evil hour by amusing the kings repre-
sentative with cunningly con.rived ex-
cuses, so plausible that he fell into the
trap. A modern substitute for the word
''blarney' is 'humbug."
Another famous spot is the Vale of
Avoca, where the two waters meet, about
which Moore wrote SO sweetly and which
has resu tied in a yearly visitation of
thousands to that exquisitely beautiful
locality. In this respect Moore is like
unto Scott who immortalized Lake
Katrine, bringing the world to it's feet.
Glendabaugh conveys thoughts of gloom
to us; the Dargle causes us to dream of
dense foliage and unlimited shade, but
Avoca breathes of sunshine and the song
of birds. of winding streams, like two
old time lends coming from opposite
directions and meeting with a burst OF
JOY knowing that henceforth they will
unite and journey together But fertile
m eadows and mellow skies, to thee we
say farewell. that we may travel north
and see that wonder of the world, the
Giants causeway.
Many are the legends concerning the
Inhabitants of that rocky coast who -four
ished long centuries ago. In one we are
toll of a famous giant who was at the
same time the wonder and the terror of
the civilized world. England also had a
giant who heard that Ireland possessed a
greater man than he. Dete' mined to tiDd
out the truth of these reports, he planned
a visit which should, result in the Staying
of his neighbor across the sea. The good
wife of the Irish giant, scenting battle in
the air, with the ready wit OF her sex de
vlsed an ingenious plan whereby to save
her husbands life. Making him lie down,
she covered him up and waited. Pres
enty the earth shook and before her stood
the English giant with slaughter i'll his
eye.
''Where is thy husband, - he asked ina
voice of thunder.
pointing to the recumbent figure of her
loved. MY baby's sleeping and If you'll
promise not to wake HIM, III so and
call my husband.
With a shrek of horror, the English
giant exclaimed: IF that is the baby,
fed to his own country, where he we'd
the rest of his life in fear and trembling.
The Irish name for the Giants Cause
way translated means the cloghan or step
ping stones OF the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
whom legend has converted into giants.
!, We must get into boat in order.to STE
to advantage the great an lesser Cause
way, as well as the wonderful caves. re-
splendent with their stalactites, and fam
Gus for their echoes. The stone founda-
tons are truly marvellous. One mass
shaped like a loom another a veritab BILE
honeycomb, and. grander than the rest.
an almosv perfect representation of pipe
organ. Then there is Lord Antrim's par
lor, and further along the wishing chair
of the wishing well. The pillars are
formed of alternate concave and convex
stones, which fit into each other so per-
fectly that no other force is needed to
keep them in place; and when we con-
slider the wild Atlantic waves that beat
against this coast, and the mighty storms
that break their fury upon these wonder
full erectons we are able to form some
idea of their durability. That they owe
their origin TO volcanic agency is proven
by the presence of basalt and lava in
their composition. -
In conclusion, why is Ireland the rich
est country in the world? Because its
capital is always Dublin (doutlingD
MARIAN TAYLOR.