Ad00406

Ad00407

in the twelfth century , an accurate observer ancl inquirer , speaks of them as ancient in his time , beyond any then existing historical record . Nor

Ar00408

epoch long anterior to the Christian era , and with reason , connecting them with the reli gious , peoples and sects , whose histories have been whose names alone remain as the sole evidences

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

, in a place called Glendalough , or "Glen of the Two wild mountain gorge , better known however to the

Proceeding south from the Irish metropolis , most picturesque scenery ofthe county Wicklow , Gleually ( the Devil's Glen ) , you commence a gradual leaving behind the pine and dwarf oak and which nod upon the summits of the distant

long you had just roads become rocky , and the face of tho surrounding black and desolate , dotted however with here group of lean sheep or a family of goats tethered mud hut or two , and the spire of an isolated ivhich the advowsou is sinecureand whose

, master chiefly resides at some fashionable watering In wet weather nothing can be conceived more the prospect of this waste of hi g hland ; while iu fine the lark sings merrily overhead , the plover skims his melanchol y " peewect" and belligerent

each otlwi * through the withered and neglected There is no change in the scene for at least half weary miles . At length , wheeling round the spur jecting rock , a crescent of black mountain , its line defined with marvellous distinctness against sky of the horizon—the traveller enters upon a

cottages and young limes , through which a small in its rather impetuous course . Your notice is immediately arrested " by a gaunt man who salutes you with every demonstration

respect . Your impression haps a pensioner of Greenwich Hospital , for cocked hat and a blue surfcout reaching to the heels , buttons . This impression is however soon dissipated you observe the unsailorlike movements of your anceand that ho red small clothes

fche texture of the valuable fabric . This singular the genius loci . lie at once takes possession of insists that you are one of his subjects , and that a right to your countenance and your money . . himhoweverfor one momenttwo lakes stretch

ward of dusky brownish colour , over which many coloured ancl unusuall y large dragon themselves . The sun ' s rays seldom reach the surface lake , and silence seems to reign in the place . Of vlooro , in liis charming melodies , sings—

"Glendalough , whose gloomy shore Skylark never warbles o ' er ; AVhere the rock hangs high and steep , Young St . Kevin stole to sleep . " Four guide conducts you to the borders of tho where stands the round towerthe centre of a

, itself , as though it were the monument of a glory less lasting than its own , lis discrowned summit touchingly to the passer by . It is about ninetyheight , about forty-live feet in diameter at the base thirty-five feet towards tho top . It is flanked by churchyard , iu which may be found , almost every

Original Correspondence.

dating there in to an apparently mystic crosses that commemorate the deeds down to the commemorative wreath of poverty hath twined and deposited humble innocence . Tho grey ruins crumble silently at short distances ;

y , of their will features y green destruction by the parasite which has On every side are piles of stone which an ancient city ; for such we are told students front Italy and even from Ind used to resort to its famous

Reviews.

Reviews .

. h the Dargle ascent , ash and , , spirit—aud affixed upon the architrave talph , that mystic sign of the double obtained by good works ? In that some scholars , the priests used to kindle should be si unto all the dwellers

. country there a together , a church , of pastor and place . worship ; you step near you through which the holy flame is forth . Else why should be found monuments the stone " pillar of the fire house , and other relies of pagan But coming to later time , when of enthusiasm extinguished the

weather along ivith chase gerows . a dozen of a pro- , wo are hollow cylinders , lived the first fashioned with their own hands these houses , wherein they remained for their lives , and somo of them were bones have been collected and p laced chapels , built to commemorate their

tho blue somewhat of white brawls , to the worship of tho Yirgin , succeeded which the pagan typified the all Deity . As the muezzin from the monses to morning , midday , and evening

looking outward is perwears a monk from the round tower by aid call upon the neighbouring peasantry as is done in Homo at this day , and countries , where the clergy have practice .

when acquaintwith an preserve being is . He which tire only used for the service many have affected to think that they for such 'articles iu times of trouble , the trooper in turn laid unholy whether sacred or nofc , that lay whether the round tower used

onl y has from out westthousands of disport was purposes , one thing is certain , that their builders had a purpose in view apparent to other than themselves . the midst of solitude , ancl funereal baseInone instanceas inClou

of cither this spot . . , . overlooks tho vast tide of the river were indeed a fire temple , it could have an immense distance , Repose deep main expression of this spot iu pilgrim often conic to cast off sin from

lesser lake , of ruins younger and appeals from his feet . Here often has the ' The sounding cataract Haunted me like a passion : the The mountain , ancl the deep gloom The still sad music of humanity , Nor harshnor gratingthough of

and about immense manner and , The presence that disturbs me with Of elevated thought—a sense Of something far more deeply

Reviews.

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

huge stone carved eminent ecclesiastics , blossoms which

the last home of of several churches of them knit toancl sustained from sapped their strength . once formed part of

Glendalough , and gypt and the far off .

, clothed in the with the square , once of matter and fche emblematic penimmortalitwhieh is

, the sacred fire which on tho hills to kneel will see the windows supposed to have shone these venerable

, " the " Grombae , " worship ? Christianity in the blaze flame and cast down that herein those

, , holy men , who stern looking prison the whole period of buried here , and their with respect in votive piety . According to

tho element with pervading essence of the of the east sumprayer , so used the a tinkling bellfco

, repeat the angelus , most other Catholic power to enforce the these stone casements

, the altar , and hence used as depositories when the brigand and on every house , their reach . But

for auy or all of these craftsmen who were which has never been Their sites tire now in grow up at their

Masonic Presentation.

MASONIC PRESENTATION .

and perpetual is the . Here has the his soul as the dust

loiteredrock , of the wood ,

ample power , felt the joy interfused ,