The Irish standard., 1899-09-09
A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET.
Observed, from Ship on the Coast
of Ireland.

Observed, from Ship on the Coast
of Ireland.
The following grand description of a
sunset on the north coast OF Ireland is
given by Josephine L. Tabour in the
Minneapolis Progress:
All through the afternoon we had been
sailing along the north coast of ireland.
The gray clouds that had been hanging
ever us for days gave place to sunshine,
that lent 4 greater charm to the sea and
the dark distant hills.
The haze surrounding the far away
Scottish mountains and hills changed
from gray to blue, while the nearer hills
and ragged rocks of ireland we're
thrown into holder relief by the soft
light. The air grew warm and soft.
Everybody gathered on the decks to
watch the changing outlines OF the
rocks, hills and point OF land About 5
O'Clock we passed the Giants Cause
way with its strangely futed pillars OF
basaltic rock. Strange old sentinel OF
the sea, washed by the waves for CEN
turtles, and for centuries the rains have
beaten down on those cod, brown rocks
Seasons have come and gone, people
have lived and died, ships passed and
repassed, some OF them never to return,
but the great columns of rocks still
stand grim, silent and unchanged. From
the Giants Causeway' it is but IA
miles across the channel to the Null OF
kintyre on the coast OF Scotland Hav-
ing a fair day and smooth sea we
sailed much nearer the Irish coast than
we could otherwise have done, and
passed between the mainland and the
Island OF Rathlin, where for time Rob-
crt Bruce found shelter. This little isl
and is rendered beautiful only by the
surrounding sea. the white surf beating
always against its granite sides, and the
green verdure covering its rocky sur-
lace. Over on the mainland was spread
far-reaching picture of beauty, the dis
tant hilsides checkered with the fields OF
ripening grain, the long dark hedge
rows, and the blue smoke curling up
ward from the cllimnies OF the group OF
tiny cottages SO lazily sleeping at the
foot OF the hills. Here and there
little cottage stood in some sheltered
nook among the rocks near the sea, or
found Judgment high up on the side
of the hills or cliffs. Respectfully we lett
SO fair scene TO go down to the even
ing dinner. But ON coming up again all
regret vanished on beholding the glori-
ous fleet OF the setting sun. Behind
one OF the dock hills, the SUN had
dropped into the sea, leaving sheet OF
FURNISHED gold as a background for the
dark hills. Across the gold was spread
a zigzag cloud OF dark gray, almost
black, while just overhead large line
Of white clouds were drifting across the
blue sky And as they floated slowly on,
these delicate clouds were edged with
highest gold, until gradually some I'M
seen hand laid fine traceries OF gold all
over the snowy mass, and off against
the horizon, beyond the white and gold
and blue, could be seen the tall masts
Of coming or going ships, one or two
but 4 speck against the distant sky.
The golden light grew dim and melted
nto changing colors OF pink, blue and
aint shades OF copper, gray and anne
lyst The hills and rocky shores grew
larker under the changing lights of the
glowing sky To the eastward faint
ouchcs OF pink and gold, blue and red,
'trcaked the soft gray of the evening,
md touched the waters OF the bay with
| rosy glow. A little boat with all sails
set was gliding toward the Scottish
shore, where little village lay set round
BY hills and rocks and craggy points OF
and and where the rim OF the sea
touched the shore was long line OF
white sand.
A sleeping mist was closing round
The fast receding hills. The silence of
The night was broken only by the sounds
in our own ship. The gold in the west
had faded into palest rose. The tall
masts OF the invisible ships still lay
against the clouds and beyond, those
strange ships, those rosy clouds, those
distant purple shadow is country,
friends, love and the shining sun. while
round us nothing but strange, silent
shores, clouds, mist and sea, and un-
known ships sailing away into the shad-
ows OF the night.