guineas, and most praiseworthily has given directions not to allow any of the spars to be removed. On the way to the curtain gallery, we were shewn the Irish Harp, a white sheet of stalactite, shaped like that instrument, and which on being struck emits most musical sounds. There is also an organ which produces a soft hollow tone like the breathings of a flute. We continued to ascend until we reached the curtain, a thin transparent sheet of snow-white petrifaction, falling in folds of natural drapery, like a piece of gauze or muslin. It is really perfect. The handkerchief of Venus, in another part of the cavern, is of the same description. After climbing over a succession of difficult rocks to a great height, we reached the gallery leading to the altar. On one side is a steep declivity of several feet, and on the other, a narrow ledge of rock over which our footing lay. Owing to the rock overhead projecting, it requires the nicest care and the most perfect steadiness, to effect a safe passage; and take heed as you Look on the abyss, by time and ruin rent; As you make your descent from the dizzy height, you are shewn the King's Crown: a stalactite which glitters as though set in jewels when the light falls on it; and in a corner formed by the rocks diverging on either side you behold the altar. A small recess is not unlike the tabernacle, and another spar bears a resemblance to the chalice. A religious silence seems to pervade the vast area around. Be hind, where the light which the guide carries cannot fall, is one vast shadow, peopled with lofty ledges of limestone rock, looking grim and fantastic in the gloom. Before you stands the altar, at which your soul pours forth a kind of tributary offering to the Great Creator who formed and presides over this wild scene; and, however courageous, you feel in spite of you, How those awful caves and vacant halls Of mental orison, it knows not wherefore : but, as if indulging in the spirit of the scene, you cannot fail to find within your bosom, thoughts Too big for utterance. Retracing my steps once more, I reached a small chamber, and from this four regular passages branch off. It is denominated the Cross-roads, and on an attentive observation I discerned that the walls were fluted in the same style as the organ. Farther on is a curious passage, high and steep: suddenly a guide runs round and stands on the top of the rock. The effect of the waving light, when he shifts it to and fro is very fine, and as it falls on the white spars it resembles the Aurora Borealis; the fleeting glare, like the dim and uncertain flashes of the northern light, glancing with as strange and mysterious a gleam. By far the most difficult passage leads to the river. Active as I considered myself, I was at times sorely bespent, and in no slight fear as to non est inventus being returned on demanding me. I would not recommend any one but a person accustomed to go bird-nesting or chimney-sweeping to essay it. I have heard of ladies having done it: if so, "good Lord deliver us!" The passage on the return is found more difficult than on the first entrance; and after a continued exercise of some hours, I was much inclined to say with Virgil,— Facilis descensus Averno, Sed revocare gradum, superasque evadere ad auras, The cheering light of day, stealing through the chasm of the door, lent new vigor to my exhausted frame. To a mind long condemned to captivity, and the gloom of the dungeon, I can readily conceive what the effect might be; for having voluntarily encountered this exploring expedition, I felt, after emerging from the regions below, as though restored to the face of a friend from whom I had been long estranged; and, with my companions, rejoiced, after scrutinizing the secrets of the womb of earth, mid the gloom of night and confusion of chaos, once more to breathe the free air of heaven, and speak of the dangers we had passed. CHAPTER II. Visit to the Abbey of Mount Melleray.-Account of the Monks of La Trappe.-Wild scenery.- First glimpse of the Convent. - Hurried survey. - Picturesque glance of Cappoquin.-View of Lismore and Castle.-Death-bell Poetry. Thoughts on the foregoing. Tuesday, December 29th, 1835. As I considered it incumbent on me to be acquainted with the objects which nature, or art, have rendered remarkable in my own country, before seeking those in another, applying the same rule to places worth visiting, as Pope does to language, Leave every foreign tongue alone Till you can read and spell your own; I mounted my gig, and, accompanied but by my servant, set out to visit the newly-erected convent of Melleray, the dwelling of the monks of La Trappe. This order, of which there are no less than seventeen houses in France, was, during the disturbances which continually pervade that distracted |