The Irish standard., 1910-08-27

Orange, his SON. law A great mon
1t takes the form of an obelisk sitting
upon huge foundation of massive
natural oak which rises abruptly from
the very brink Of the river and has the
appearance of huge boulder. The
inscription is most offensive and in
sulting to Catholics and the Catholic
religion. 1t certainly seems strange
that it has never been blown to pieces
sitting there for generations in the
midst of an intensely Catholic district.
That it has not been destroyed is a
tribute to the patience and tolerance OF
the Irish Catholic people.
Three miles further up the river are
seen the ruins of Mellifont, the famous
Cistercan Abbey and school of the
Middle Ages, founded in 1142. The
ruins consist Of gate, tower, and
the skeleton walls of the abbey covered
with ivy centuries old, whose gnarled
roots seem to- defy age. Like the
hearts of the people. it cings to the
ruins Of the old faith, and yet remains
fresh and green where even the stones
themselves have crumbled. Two or
three miles further inland, in north
easterly direction, are the ruins of
Monasterboice, still more ancient
| monastery founded in the fifth CEN
tury. The remains consist of two
churches, round tower and three
magnificent and well preserved Celtic
crosses. These latter date from the
ninth century. Archaeologists hold
that two Of them. in point Of design
and richness Of sculpturng, surpass all
similar works Of the class to be found
in the world. The carving and panels
i illustrate passages of scripture.
Fertile Plains Of Louth.
We drove out the valley on the
returned on the northern side. l was
told that the alluyial soil Of the plains
of Louth is the richest in the whole
kingdom. This valley certainly con-
firmA that stat9neat. ! have seen the
greater part of the world from Call
fornia to southern italy: but have
never seen such luxuriant vegetation,
in tree and shrub and crop, as found
here in the Valley of the Boyne.
On returning to the Dominican fri
ary one of the fathers pointed out to
me passage from Doctor Petrie. the
famous antiquary. where he states that
for scenic grandeur and historic as
sociation, with which this fair island
abounds, we know Of none which con-
tains such variety of the former, and
80 many aspects of the latter as the
pleasant valley Of the Boyne."
Before leaving Drogheda I was
pointed out the site of the ancient
parish church, to which the people, the
women and children Of Drogheda had
fed for refuge during the siege Of
Cromwell.
The memorable siege Is, indeed, the
great outstanding fact in Drogheda' g
history. 1t is unparalleled in the his
tory Of wars of civilized nations for
it's ferocity and breach of faith. 1t
took place in 1s4s. The town was de-
Tended by garrison Of 5000 English
soldiers. This garrison capitulated on
terms among which was one that all
non -cambatants should be spared
These, with the women and children
as stated, had sought refuge in the
church. Cromwell entered the town
massacred the garrison, drew cor
don Of troops around the church, and
gave orders that not a single soul
should escape. This order was scru-
pulously observed by the Puritan SOL
diers. Yet Drogheda still lives and
the Catholic faith is as firm there to-
day as it was in the days Of Crom-
we'll.
i Consistory in November.