48 



Mr. Martin, whose blows, it is said, fell heavy and frequent 

 on the monster, as it trailed slowly through a moss ; and a 

 stone with a rude inscription marks the spot where he was " in 

 at the death." Tradition has preserved the following last 

 words of the dragon ; which is supposed to have uttered them 

 some time after its death, but that is a matter of little con- 

 sequence. 



" I waA temptit at Piitempton, 



Draiglit at Balrfrai/on, 



Stricken at Strike Martin, 



And kille<l at Martin's Stane."* 



It was probably an animal of the same species, that was killed 

 by an Irish saint throwing his powerful crozier at it. When 

 wounded, it fled to the Fionn Loch (white lake), which was so 

 discoloured by the creature's blood that it has ever since been 

 called Lough Dearg (the red lake) . 



It is true that some of these interesting sayings have been 

 questioned by stupid matter-of-fact people, or by those who 

 are too jealous to admit that any one can do greater things 

 than themselves. They tell us that many of these stories were 

 invented in mediaeval or modern times, to account for the 

 names, and that the names were not given as descriptive of the 

 alleged facts. Now it must be admitted that this has some- 

 times occurred ; as in the case of a guide, more talented than 

 trustworthy, at the Seven Churches in Wicklow, who used to 

 boast that he could "invint as many lagends over night, as 

 would sarve the quality during the day." But where is our 

 incredulity to stop, when Spenser tells us in tlie Faerie Queene, 

 that London takes its name from the good king Lnd ; and 

 when Milton tells us that the Humher is named after an un- 

 fortunate gentleman, a Scythian king, whose coracle was upset 

 on its rude waves, when all hands perished. 



* Chambers's Po]>nl!ir Khyiiips of Scotlaiul 



