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certain that several parties had been waiting a week for a fair day; our prospect for the morrow was considered almost as hopeless; which, with our time being so circumscribed as to allow us only another day to explore objects that would fully and delightfully occupy many, did leisure depend on will; produced us inexpressible regret. If our good fortune should yet attend us in the morning, and the sun should shine, my only unpleasant reflection will be that of your absence; but as far as I can compensate such a loss, I shall joyfully do it, by giving you a faithful detail of every pression I may receive from the contemplation of this wonderful scenery.

im

I am already convinced that the pre-eminent features of Killarney are so opposite and distinct from those of our lakes, that, were the picturesque to be contested, the decision would be independent of comparative merits; and would arise out of the pre-conceived notions in the party, in favor of the sublimity and grandeur, or of the beautiful and smiling works of nature! The points of perfection in either are so entirely dissimilar, that no possibility exists of bringing them fairly into comparison, or of weighing them in the scale of competition against each other. The fascinations of a

Lakes of Killarney.

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Claude differ so materially, and form such a contrast to the wild romantic conceptions of a Salvator Rosa, that those who prefer the charms of the former to that of the latter, or vice versâ, must be decided by the influence of a pre-conceived intellectual discernment. The sublime gives birth to grand, to lofty ideas, whilst beauty produces less elevated, though not less pleasing sensations. A well-performed tragedy creates more interest, and exercises more powerful influence over the mind, than an equally well-acted comedy; the effects of the one is to exhaust our feelings, whilst that of the other is to delight them. As a landscape for casual contemplation, I should prefer Killarney; as a permanent residence, I should choose Windermere.

I do not know whether my reasoning and reflections will comport with the view you may take of the subject; they have, however, had the good effect of making peace with myself, and I should hope their prolixity will not disturb that of yours. Adieu. This is the first day we have had cause to complain of the weather, and this is being remarkably fortunate. Yours.

J. C. C.

LETTER XXXIII.

Killarney, Sept. 11, 1813.

THE night was thoroughly tempestuous, and

The

so the weather continued till near seven this morning, when the wind changed, and shortly afterwards it became unexpectedly fine. sun bursting forth rapidly dispersed the fog; we lost no time in setting forward, purposing to compass in one day what usually occupies. several.

We embarked at the same spot as on the day before. The lofty summit of Glená and the surrounding mountains were finely illuminated. The rapidity of the fleeting clouds produced a magic combination of light and shade, which constitutes one of the principal charms of Alpine scenery. The lake and its islands could not have been seen at a more happy moment: the agitation of the water still continued with violence to break on the shore in waves, whose dashing frothy spray increased the magnificent effect by producing a striking contrast with the

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407

rich and peaceful foliage impending over the rocks, which seemed to smile at the impotent rage of the foaming billows.

The bay formed by Cherry Isle, Ross, and Innisfallen, the centre of which is occupied by O'Donoghue's prison, is highly picturesque. On reaching the southern point of Innisfallen, the whole range of the lake, computed at six miles in length and three in breadth, was fully open to our view. Innisfallen is the largest, best wooded, and most interesting of all the islands; and the circuit of its shores, which are bold and rocky, are reported to include seventeen

acres.

The swell was yet so great that the waves frequently broke over our boat, and it was with much difficulty we crossed the lake to the opposite shore.

Glená has a decided pre-eminence in this sublime picture; on the left is Tommes Mountain, and beyond it is the Alpine chain extending towards Dingle and Bantry Bay. To the right Mangerton, Turk's Mountain, Glenflesh, and the Paps. Immensity of magnitude, combined with diversity of outline and the richest tints of colouring, present to the power

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of beholding a prospect of infinite sublimity and magnificence. This view possesses also many beautiful features; but these are subordinates, and are lost in their association with objects of such superior interest and attrac

tion.

From Glená cottage, situated at the bottom of the bay, to the promontory opposite to Darby's Garden, the distance exceeds a mile; thence to Benson's Point is fully three. The whole of this, constituting the base of Glená, is richly clothed with oak woods to a considerable height; the lower parts of the thickets are interspersed with the arbutus, whose verdant glossy leaves have a pleasing effect. The captivating smoothness of surface, and the rotundity of the summit of Glená, are very impressive. The most splendid effects are produced by the deep purple tint of the heath, now in full bloom, which completely envelops its broad extensive sides and its top; its base is washed by a noble expanse of water, whose glossy surface, in its peaceful moments, seems as if designed by nature as a mirror to reflect and double the exalted beauties of Glená. Every feeling of admiration is called forth, and becomes interested by the sublimity of these imposing objects.