her as their own, until they restored her to her husband. Poor Rose for some time seemed to revive, under the influence of the sea air and voyage, and her kind friends began to trust she might recover; but it was a false hope. By degrees she daily grew weaker. One lovely evening in the middle of June, they carried her to a sofa placed for her on deck. She had been more than usually weak that day, and they hoped the freshness of the evening breeze might revive her. The captain's wife took a seat by her side. Her breathing was short and hurried, yet she did not appear to suffer much. The sun was just then setting, the horizon appeared on fire lit up by its golden rays. As it sank to rest on the waters, Rose raised herself with much difficulty from her reclining posture to gaze for a moment on its parting light, which she had ever loved to contemplate, when it beamed at summer eve on all the matchless beauties of her distant home. The efforts, or the feelings it excited, proved too much for her, and she fell back exhausted on the couch it was soon evident to her anxious friends, that the tide of life was fast ebbing from her bosom. She looked expressively at them, then raising her eyes to Heaven, and breathing a fervent prayer, the stillness of death stole over her lovely features, proclaiming too truly that life's short voyage was at an end. The bright sun had set on her for ever. No church bell tolled for her, no prayers were chaunted. The cold ocean was her grave; the wild cry of the sea birds was her funeral dirge, and the morning breeze, as it crested the wave, breathed a requiem to her departed spirit. One year after this sad event, and the Beaumont family mourned the death of their youngest son. He had fallen in the service of his country.

Captain Fitzallan survived his beloved niece but a few months; he sleeps amidst the beautiful ruins of Mucruss Abbey.

ROYAL AUTOGRAPHS.

HENRY the Eighth wrote a strong hand, but as if he had seldom a good pen. "The vehemence of his character," says D'Israeli, "convey itself into his writing,-bold, hasty, and commanding. I have no doubt that the assertor of the Pope's supremacy, and its redoubted opponent, split many a good quill." The autograph of the mild and feminine Edward VI. is fair, flowing, and legible; and that of Queen Elibabeth, stiff, firm, and elaborate, written in a large, tall character, and with very upright letters, denoting asperity and ostentation. Her ill-fated sister queen, poor Mary Stuart, wrote elegantly, though usually in uneven lines; in a style indicative of simplicity, softness, and amiability. James I. wrote an ungainly scrawl, all awry, and careless; strongly marking the personal negligence he carried into all the affairs of life. The first Charles's was a fair, open, Italian hand, most correctly formed; and his successor, the witty monarch's volatile, heedless, restless character, is not incorrectly exhibited in his little pretty running hand, scribbled, as it were, in haste and impatience. The phlegmatic temper and matter-of-business habits of James II. are evinced in his large commercial autograph; and Queen Anne's commonplace character, in her good, commonplace handwriting.

THE CASTLES AND MANSIONS OF GREAT

BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

Castle Coole, co. Fermanagh.

SEAT OF THE EARL OF BELmore.

THIS noble residence of the Earls of Belmore is about a mile distant from Enniskillen, on the banks of the fair Lake Erne. The approach from the town affords a fine prospect of a picturesque sheet of water, studded with a vast number of islands-all of them green, and many of sufficient size to afford pasturage to flocks and herds. I know no part of Ireland more interesting than this country. In scenery, in historical fame, and modern improvement, it rivals every country in Europe. Mr. and Mrs. Hall, in their work on Ireland, must be regarded as good judges, having seen and observed closely almost the whole of the United Kingdom, and, speaking of this locality, remark, "It is, however, to the grace and grandeur of Nature that we desire to direct the attention of our readers. Travel where they will, in this singularly beautiful neighbourhood, lovers of the picturesque will have rare treats at every step. It is impossible to exaggerate in describing the surpassing loveliness of the whole locality. How many thousands there are, who, if just ideas could be conveyed to them of its attractions, would make their annual tour hither instead of up the "hackneyed and sodden Rhine," infinitely less rich in natural graces, far inferior in the studies of character it yields, and much less abundant in all the enjoyments that can recompense the traveller! Nothing in Great Britain-perhaps nothing in Europe-can surpass in beauty the view along the road that leads into Enniskillen. Now, without drawing any invidious comparison between Lough Erne and the Rhine, I must say that I think it a shame so many of our Irish tourists will, year after year, betake themselves abroad, leaving unknown and unnoticed the equally charming natural beauties of their own green Isle. Is it because it is their own they despise it? How true the remark—" What we have we prize not at its worth," and no stronger instance exists than the fact of Lough Erne, the Blackwater in Munster, and other scenes, the subject of delight and encomium to the strangers who visit them from other lands, being hardly known as places worth the trouble of looking at to the inhabitants of Ireland, and seldom sought by the tourist. Let it be our pleasing task to call attention to these neglected scenesto guide the native footstep thither-to awaken an interest for Ireland in the breasts of Irishmen of all shades and classes, and make them at length feel they have a common country, and as we are essentially an aristocratic people, no where can this be so appropriately carried out than in the pages of the Patrician.

Castle Coole is a mansion of regular uniform style. The elegance of the design, the scale of magnificence observed in the internal arrangements, and the singular beauty of its surrounding scenery, must render it an object of admiration to every age. The house consists of a square centre with extensive wings, along the centre of which runs a façade supported by Tastun pillars, and the whole being of Portland stone be

speak the pure and elegant simplicity which marked the designs of Paladio. A graceful approach leads nearly round the mansion, and as it traverses the wide spread lawns, rich and varied plantations meet the sight. The park is profusely supplied with trees, some dotting the verdant mead in single piles, others grouped in clumps. Numerous lakes, some of great extent-bearing wooded islets on their grassy bosoms, diversify tree and field. I never witnessed a greater profusion of water fowl; birds of every kind that haunt the stream held revelry as I passed. The offices, also faced with Portland stone, form a neat and well ordered quadrangle not far from the mansion. The view from the hall door looking over a great extent of country, is one scene of striking and enchanting loveli

ness.

The family is of Scottish extraction. John Lowry, a native of Scotland, having emigrated to this part of the British dominions towards the close of the 17th century settled at Ahenis in the county Tyrone. As might have been expected he took part with the supporters of William of Nassau, during the civil wars of 1688-9, and had the misfortune to lose his wife during the dreadful privations which the garrison, besieged within the walls of Londonderry, experienced. Several of his descendants represented the county Tyrone in the Irish House of Commons, and, on 6th January 1781, Armar Lowry, Esq. M.P., was elevated to the Peerage of Ireland as Baron Belmore of Castle Coole, on which occasion he assumed the name and arms of Corry. Another branch of this family is seated at Pomeroy House, represented by Robert William Lowry, Esq.* The Earldom of Belmore was conferred by creation 5th Nov. 1797. The present earl is a minor, having lately succeeded his lamented father.

Before leaving Enniskillen, I paid a visit to a very astonishing island in Lake Erne-Devenish or Daim Inis, signifying the Island of the Ox, in Latin it was called Bovis Insula, I conclude from the number of these animals that were accustomed to browse on the grass which grows so luxuriantly. It contains about eighty acres, and was the chosen seat of religion and learning in days of yore. The first abbey is said to have been founded here as early as A.D. 563 by St. Laserian. The Danes frequently plundered the monastery. Over the altar of the church is a richly ornamented window, and near it on a tablet built in the wall is the following inscription in very rude raised characters.

Mattheus O'Dubigan hoc opus fecit

Bartholameo O'Flanagan Priori de Daminio 1449.

The O'Flanagans-Lords of Tura-Tuath Ratha, i.e. the District of the Fortress, had considerable possessions along the borders of Lake Erne, comprising at one time, the whole of the present Barony of Magheroboy, but sharing the fortunes of their chief king and kinsman, Maguire Prince of Fermanagh, lost the whole of those estates by repeated confiscations. On the Island of Devenish is one of the most perfect round towers It is built of hewn stone, each about a foot square. The conical roof having been endangered by a small tree growing out of the slight interstices, caused some repairs requisite which were executed with great skill, and this memento of the days of old restored to its pristine

state.

⚫ Burke's Commoners, vol. iii. p. 140.

Kilkenny Castle.

SEAT OF THE MARQUIS ORMOND.

How full of solemn feudality is Kilkenny Castle! Striking at once both mental and bodily vision, for its site is not only majestic and grand, loftily towering over

The stubborn Neure, whose waters grey

By fair Kilkenny and Ross-ponte borde,

but the venerable walls, and antique bastions speak of historical associations with which they are intimately connected, and the interest is excited by the magnitude of the incidents which occurred here.

It dates with the arrival of the English in this country, and, though the revolution of ages have effected changes in the possessions, and recent improvements and alterations have swept away traces of the honourable wounds which the implements of war, and time dealt on the fortress, legend, and ballad, and chronicle has preserved its history. The original castle is said to have been built by Strongbow, and subsequently destroyed by the Irish shortly after its erection; but the place was deemed too important to be left defenceless, for we find in A.D. 1195, a spacious and noble castle arose from the ruins. In a military point of view, (no trifling object in those days) the situation was most eligible. The castle was built on a lofty mound, one side steep and precipitous, with the rushing Nore sweeping round its base. To this natural rampart was added a wall of solid masonry, forty feet high. The other parts were defended by bastions, curtains, towers, and outworks. The area thus inclosed contained the donjon and main keep, inhabited by the distinguished owner William, Lord Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, and a caserne for a strong garrison. In 1391 it came by purchase into the present noble family-having been bought by James Butler, third Earl of Ormond, a descendant of Theobald Walter, a great favourite of Henry II., who made him large grants in his newly acquired Irish territory. He filled the office of Chief Butler of Ireland, which became hereditary, and the surname of the family. As our space would not admit our dwelling on the numerous important events which these walls have witnessed, as indeed few Chapters of the History of Ireland omit some record of transactions in which Kilkenny Castle bears a part, we proceed to give a brief notice of its present appearance.

Its situation, close by the Nore, is of extreme beauty. The elevation is considerable and affords an extensive view, as the castle overlooks the city, and the sight can follow the windings of the river, through many a verdant meadow, shady grove, and well-planted lawn. The river is clear and bright, and the city has the advantage of permitting an uninterrupted prospect, boasting of water without mud, air without fog, and fire without smoke. So that when the eye is sated with gazing on the reaches of the clear sparkling river, now glancing along fair meadowy niches, and anon lost between high wooded banks, it can wander over spire and gable of the city, and here wrapt in the quiet of the lordly dwelling, the visitor listens to the hum of the busy-bustling crowd, who urge their laborious callings in every variety of city life.

The castle is approached from the town, and a long range of offices

are on the right hand. Neither the style of architecture in which they are built, nor the entrance, is in accordance with the rest of the castle. This is the more striking from the proximity to the venerable walls. The recent buildings are in the best taste, and well executed. Some basso-relievos are finely sculptured. We went through many of the rooms not remarkable of size, but convenient and affording pleasing views of the country round. There has, however, been recently completed, a splendid picture gallery, about 150 feet in length. This contains a great collection of paintings. The belles, the wits, the courtiers, and courtezans of the Merry Monarch are here congregated, and the sight is dazzled by the gorgeous blaze of beauty, and dress, depicted by Sir Peter Lely and Sir Godfry Kneller, until the weariness of excess of glare is relieved by the sober colouring of Vandyke, or the religious tenderness of Carlo Dolci. Here are kings and Queens in all their pomp, King Charles I. and his unhappy queen ;King Charles II., King James II., Queen Mary, Queen Anne, Royal Family, by Vandyke, Duchess of Richmond, by Sir Godfry Kneller, with portraits of various members of the Ormond family, scripture pieces, landscapes, flowers, mingled with saints and sinners, gay knights and grave senators, a motly and distinguished array. What food for meditation is here for the imaginative mind? What tales these silent beings could tell were the canvass animated? Here are kings who, during their career on earth, experienced all the vicissitudes of fortune, the privations that afflict the meanest subject, hunger and poverty, and terror of enemies, and loss of friends and fortune. One was exiled, another dethroned, another beheaded. Here are youthful beauties radiant in smiles and charms, who lived till these smiles ceased to captivate, and these charms to win admiration. What feelings are aroused by the sad fate of many a proud noble here standing clad in his peer's robes. The battle field witnessed the death throes of some, the sod of a foreign land covered the bones of others. And now their fame and their fate lives but in the vague legend and a few feet of painted canvass. I lingered amidst these frail memorials of greatness until the shadows of evening deepened the gloom of the old towers. The sun sank gorgeously into a cradle of golden rays, pillowed by downy clouds of dazzling whiteness. The Nore hymned a vesper song as the stars shone out, and the hour was meet for reminiscences of the past. There floated before us visions of the former owners, the Anglo-Norman invaders, the fierce conflicts with the Irish Chiefs, the rivalry between the Butlers and Fitz Geralds of Desmond; the feuds that existed between these Irish Guelphs and Ghibellins are celebrated in the annals of Ireland. Once we are told a reconciliation was effected, and the leaders agreed to shake hands; but they took the precaution of doing so through an aperture in an oaken door, each fearing to be poniarded by the other! After the battle of Affane, on the banks of the Blackwater, the Fitz Geralds were repulsed, and their chieftain made prisoner. While weak from loss of blood, the victors were bearing him on their shoulders, and the Lord of Ormond triumphantly exclaimed "Where now is the great Earl of Desmond?" "Here," replied the Lord Gerald, "now in his proper place, still on the necks of the Butlers."

"The antiquity of this family," says Burke,* "is indisputable; but whence it immediately derived its origin is not so clearly established. Its

Peerage.