The Virginia enterprise., 1909-12-24
T IRELAND is indeed a beautiful
country and its people appear to
be the most hospitable in all the
world. The cities in Ireland

world. The cities in Ireland
Il which have thus far seen look
prosperous, and in point of ar
chltectural attractions compare very
1aVorably with cities of the same size
IN more pretentious countries.
l have availed myself of every op-
portunity to come into close contact
with the people. I find they are in
many respects like children, possess
ing the artlessness and simplicity of
the child and consequently lacking in
the reserve and self-mastery which
belong to training and culture. A gen.
teman whose acquaintance I made
IN Cork wanted me to visit Blarney
castle. and went on to explain that q
certain Father Prout had blessed the
blarney stone and whoever could ap.
ply his lips to it was sure to gain
fame and wealth.
Early the next day, took the train
for Blarney. The ride from the sea
to this ancient castle, built nearly so
years before America was discovered,
shows the natural charms of the coun.
try to great advantage.
The streams and rivulets are as
green as the grass and the trees are
clad in all the verdant glory of sum.
mer. / passed number Of farms on
my way to the talismanic stone, and
they were laden with the fruits of the
soil. The potato was in blossom (Ire.
land is the only country where the DO.
tato puts forth purple blossom) and
the hay was ripening in the sun. l
said to myself THE man who kisses
the blarney stone may or not be re-
warded. but he who scratches the soil
honestly is sure to get his reward "
BY the passage Of a recent bill in
parliament the peasants in Ireland
are assisted financially by the govern.
ment to purchase the land from the
landlords. Many have availed them.
selves of this offer, and now own their
farms. This element of ownership
has put new life into the Irish farmer,
and It really promises better era
for the whole country. Having become
a capitalist, as it were, the peasant
farmer has, to great extent: cost
his restlessness and discomfort, and
has grown to be )aw-abiding and hope.
full. The old-age pension has also put
money into the pockets of the poor
and weakened the hold of beggary and
misery In the land. Indeed. many
forces are contributing to build up the
Ireland that is to be.
In the Ottoman empire the Young
Turks are making history on a scale
which no prophet could have foretold; ;
in Spain, Italy and France, too, the
younger generation is reshaping the
destinies of the Latin countries: while
in Ireland, as said, an optimism of
the most robust nature is causing both
people and soil to take new heart. This
universal awakening is to me the
greatest sign of the century we live in.
AS we say of an old firm when it has
passed under new management
that it has changed hands-so may
the world hang out new sign: This
World Has Changed Hands,"
But 1 must not forget to describe
my visit to Blarney. A solid, square
tower is all that is left Of the ancient
castle of the lords Of Muskerry. Up
a narrow and winding stairway Of
stone lies the path which brings the
pilgrim face to face with the stone
celebrated in song and sacred to su-
pe rstition. The wind was blowing a
gale, and 1 could hardly steady myself
on the slippery edges of the summit,
120 feet from the ground.
There was no protection from the
wind, which had beaten down. the
roble structure into a heap of ruins,
and seemed new proud of it's work.
1t rushed upon the still standing COL