small row-boat, and proceeded to view the picturesque scenery bordering its shores. We passed Lord Brandon's cottage, "Eagle's Nest," and McCarthy's Island; shot the rapids under the old Weir bridge; crossed the "Meeting of the Waters" and landed on Dinish Island.

From here we drove to the Torc Cascade, and thence to the historic ruins of Muckross Abbey. This is a grand, old, ivy-covered ruin, in the centre of which stands a yew tree 440 years old, and surrounding it are the tombs of the McCarthy, the Moore, and other names of ancient Ireland.

Ross Castle-three miles distant-is another fine ruin which withstood the assaults of Cromwell in the 16th century; also to be noted are, the castle of Lord Kinmare and the ruins of Innisfallen, so celebrated by Moore in song. Joined to the harmonies of sight were those of sound, throughout this delightful tour; mountain and lake returning echoes from violin, bugle and

cannon.

From Killarney to Dublin-a distance of 112 miles-one passes through a country of no special interest. This city, situated on the Liffey, has a population of 340,000 inhabitants. Its principal buildings are the "Castle"-the official residence of the Lord Lieutenant; the Bank of Irelandformerly the House of Parliament; Trinity College; and the "Four Courts." The finest streets are Sackville and James, on which are erected

monuments to William III., Nelson, Wellington, and O'Connell, and among other places of historic interest there also is pointed out the spot where Emmet was hung.

Phoenix Park-one of the most beautiful in the United Kingdom-contains the private residence of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, who may be seen driving, surrounded by a strong escort of cavalry. The blood of his predecessor, Lord Cavendish, and that of Secretary Burke, was still fresh upon the spot where they were assassinated, May 6th, 1882; the day previous to our arrival. From Dublin we went by rail to Portrush, a small bathing place in the north of Ireland, and from there, by jaunting-car, six miles to the Giant's Causeway. This is a basaltic promontory from ten to five hundred feet high, and consists of prismatic columns fitting side by side with such uniformity, as to look like the work of art; the heating of the rock, and its sudden cooling, is supposed to be the cause of this remarkable formation.

The Castle of Dunluce, four miles from the Causeway, is the finest ruin in the north of Ireland. It is built on a rock and is connected with the mainland by a stone bridge only twenty inches in width.

Belfast, the second city in size in Ireland, contains but little to attract the transient visitor, and from here we took the steamer across the Irish sea, to Scotland.

CHAPTER II.

THE CLYDE: GLASGOW : AYR: DUMBARTON CASTLE: LOCH LOMOND: INVERSNAID: STRONACHLACHER: LOCH KATRINE: THE TROSSACHS: CALLANDER: STIRLING: EDINBURGH ROSLIN CHAPEL: HAWTHORNDEN: MELROSE ABBEY: DRYBURGH ABBEY : ABBOTSFORD.

SAILING up the river Clyde, we passed large numbers of ships in course of construction, from the formidable man-of-war and fine merchant ship, to various small sized craft destined for lighter service.

Glasgow, the commercial capital of Scotland, is finely situated on the river Clyde at the head of navigation. It was here that James Watt, in 1763, first applied steam as a motive power. The city has a population of 512,000 inhabitants, and contains many handsome buildings and fine statues. St. George's Square, centrally located, contains the monuments of Sir Walter Scott, the Duke of Wellington, James Watt, Prince Albert, and Queen Victoria; and is surrounded by the Royal Bank, Mechanic's Institute, Royal Exchange, and Post Office. The city is noted for its abundant supply of fresh water brought from the romantic Loch Katrine-a distance of 40 miles.

The Great Western Cooking Depôt, estab

lished by one of her philanthropists, is a novel and an admirable institution, where a most excellent meal is served to the working people at three-pence (six cents) each.

It

The most important object to be seen in Glasgow is the cathedral, which ranks next to Westminster in the kingdom; particularly admired for the rich coloring of its stained-glass windows. is situated in a picturesque spot, partly surrounded by an old churchyard or necropolis, which rises. terraced in the background, and contains some beautiful monuments, the most conspicuous of which is that erected to the memory of John Knox, the great Reformer. The cathedral was built in the 12th century, is in the form of a Latin cross, and of the Gothic style.

The University, a fine building, costing millions of dollars, is located on high ground sloping to the river Kelvin, and commands at fine view of the city.

Ayr 40 miles from Glasgow - has 18,000 inhabitants, and is situated on the Ayr river, which is crossed by the "twa brigs," immortalized by Burns.

On the site of the prison where Wallace was confined a structure now exists called the Wallace Tower, in front of which is a statue of that hero, and in the Tower are the clock and bells of the old donjon steeple.

Two miles from Ayr is the cottage, divided

into two rooms, where the poet Burns was born, January 25th, 1759, and the bed yet stands in the original niche where the poet first saw the light of day. Two miles from this is "Alloway's auld haunted kirk," which has been immortalized by Burns in his "Tam O'Shanter." In the adjoining churchyard are the graves of Tam O'Shanter, or Tam Laughlin, from the farm Shanter, and those of the poet's parents, on the headstone of which is inscribed the following beautiful epitaph, written by Burns, on his father:

"O ye, whose cheek the tear of pity stains,

Draw near with pious rev'rence and attend!
Here lie the loving husband's dear remains,
The tender father and the gen'rous friend.

The pitying heart that felt for human woe;
The dauntless heart that fear'd no human pride;

The friend of man, to vice alone a foe;

For ev'n his failings lean'd to virtue's side."

The "auld kirk" is in ruins, but the interest of the locality is centred in the graveyard.

A short distance to the west is the well where Mungo's "mither hanged hersel," and near by is a fine monument to Burns, in the interior of which are relics belonging to him — original manuscript, wedding-ring, a lock of his Highland Mary's hair, and two bibles given her by the poet. In a cave on the grounds is a monument to Tam O'Shanter and Souter Johnnie, and a few steps further on