Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1905-02-24

cert. ltwas not until the time of this
latter event that we realized the axis-
tence of a stroRg bond between tt q
two great English speaking nations, in
the fact that our national anthem is set
to the tune of God SAGE tie King. Our
voyage, which grew more pleasant with
| our all the while increasing AGO uaint-
ance with or fellow passengers, came
at last to very delightful end. Upon
the morning of the eighth day of the
journey one of our new friends raped
loudly at our state room door and mys-
teriously summoned US to appear i'm
mediately upon the deck to see some
| thing interesting and magnificent.
Full of wonder, we Obeyed as quickly
| az possible and were rewarded by a
vision which we shall never forget.
Beneath half lifted curtain of cloud
| which enhanced the charm OF that
which it allowed to be only half seen,
lay at but short distance away the
beautiful shores of County Donegal on
the north of Ireland. Down to the
very waters edge grew grass far green
or than any that we had ever before
seen. Further back aud upon the hill
side and catching our eye almost i'm
mediately we're little pocket hand
kerchief farms, ESQ uare and neat. with
white and apparently hard roads con-
Meeting the villages of sOlidly built
stone houses. On the right upon the
ledge of rock was glistening light
house, and upon the near by beach a
coast guard station where we for the
first time saw flying on the British
Isles the British flag. On the left and
washed by the sea were the ruins Of
castle. the first upon which we were
ever to look, its crumbling walls here |
blackened by age and moisture and
there made green by thick and drip
ping layer of moss. This scene, how
ever, soon gave place to others as the
vessel steamed to the East and along
the coast. Portrush, the most north
erly town OF Ireland and a picturesque
place, aud the Giants Cause
way, a remarkable basaltic formation
which was by pictures and descriptions
to us in the days of our geo.
graphy study. were both seen ut dis
lance. The first part of Scotland of
which We caught sight was the Null of
Cantyre, narrow peninsular forming
the southern point OF Argyle County
IN which is the home of the Duke of
Argyle who married a daughter of
Queen Victoria, and thereby provoked
IN old woman tenant to remark that
the q ueen must be very fine lady
indeed to have daughter worthy OF
'ur duke" Many were the wonderful j.,
nd historic places which we gazed up.
n. ~ we passed through the Firth of :
Clyde and up the river itself. Such
names as the Islands of Arran and
Butte, Ailsa Craig, Androssan, the Two :,
Dunoon and Holy Lock
ring to us memories of one OF the
randest days We have ever spent but
III too full for an adequ ate record here.
10 happy were We because of the de- o
ghtful experiences through which we
ad just passed, that we were not to the II
lightest degree disturbed by the fact l.
hat in the late afternoon we put our o
let for the first time upon Scottish q
oil, in the midst OIL persistent and
roverbial and to some Others, provok- ii
az downpour of rain. In conclusion. II
70 heartily wish that your initial jour- D
ey to that historic and charmful land,
lay be even half SO pleasant as ours.