SALMON ANOLTNO IN IRELAND. 67 



wliich bears undoubted evidence of having been written before 



A.D. 1101. 



The view from the summit is exquisite over lough and heath, 

 mountains, and the broad Atlantic. It comes back to me now in 

 its wondrous beauty, as fresh and bright as when I turned my steps 

 down the hill to mount the car, and continue my journey to Derry. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



The Bu3h Dulce Domum From Derry to Portrush What the Birds said 

 We sail Home, make Casting Lines and Flies, mend Rods, go to the River, 

 and get paid for the Job Pounds, Shillings, and Penoe. 



Friday, April 21. 

 Men seldom love but once in their lives ; that is, love really and 

 truly in the most exalted sense of the word. There are of course 

 no end of shams and make-believes, to which all kinds of fine names 

 are given, but these are counterfeits, and won't wash. 



Now as with persons, so is it with places. We have all " a first 

 love." It may be some country village where our childhood was 

 passed, and where our mother lived ; it may be at home, it may be 

 abroad ; mountain, valley, or stream, may be the charmer ; but 

 somewhere or other, to all men there is one spot dearer than all 

 others in the world. I know there is to me, and thither I am 

 flying. 



All the stations hitherto visited have been favourites ; but what 

 are they to Ballantrae ? We are speeding along the shores of Derry 

 Lough, and each moment some well-remembered object comes into 

 view. On the left the Inishowen Mountains rise peak above peak. 

 Yonder glides the swift river steamer, from Green Castle to the 

 Maiden City. The curlews, the graceful cranes, the little clouds of 

 sandpipers, all seem to cry "Welcome home, welcome home I" 



p 2 



