100 A SEA BATH. 



of their stills, those gifted islanders are worthy of being 

 canonized. Although our host's flask was a true Hollander, 

 having an amplitude of bottom that would have put two 

 degenerate wine-bottles to the blush, I regret to say such 

 unyielding thirst beset us, that before any of the company 

 sought a hammock, the honest Dutchman was left without 

 a drop ! 



We were astir betimes next morning. It was an excel- 

 lent shooting- day ; a brisk breeze had sprung up with the 

 first of flood, and the fog rising gradually up the mountain- 

 side, cleared the summit of Slieve More, leaving its rugged 

 pinnacle a disordered mass of shivered granite sparkling in 

 the sunshine. Our dogs were in beautiful condition ; and we 

 were gratified to hear from a water-guard patrol, that, but an 

 hour before, he had sprung a strong pack of birds on our pur- 

 posed beat. 



But, alas ! the departed Dutchman had left us certain 

 twinges in the head to make us recollect him, and we felt 

 a nervous sensibility that was anything but favourable to 

 good shooting. An immersion in the sea was recommended 

 as a certain remedy, and our host conducted us to a rock, from 

 which we could plunge into water four fathoms deep, and yet 

 clear enough to enable us to observe the shells and pebbles at 

 the bottom. We enjoyed a delightful ablution, returned new 

 men to the watch-house, and, like giants refreshed, prepared 

 for a good day's fag. 



So salutary proved our bath, that we breakfasted as if we 

 had never drained a Dutchman in our lives. The dogs were 

 duly coupled, and sundry disengaged gentlemen of the village, 

 whom we found lounging at the door, were being invested 

 with shot and game bags, when, roused by an exclamation of 

 the keeper, we witnessed a curious scene. 



In a huge and inaccessible crag, on the east side of Slieve 

 More, and immediately above the coast-guard station, the eagles 

 had formed an aerie ; a fissure in the cliffs beyond the possi- 

 bility of being disturbed by the approach of man, afforded these 

 birds for many years a secure retreat. Here, annually, they 

 produced their offspring, to the sad annoyance of the islanders, 

 and more particularly the villagers of Dugurth. This morning 

 they had descended from their rocky habitation, accompanied 



