LOUGH DERG. 211 



an overgrown black -hole — the coppers, in 

 which the water is boiled, which, under the 

 name of wine, forms the principal support of 

 the penitents while performing their penance ; 

 two or three nondescript sheds, a few stations 

 for prayer, and a rough stony path con- 

 structed for a bare-kneed procession, — and 

 these were all the lions of the place. 



" I do not know what I expected to see," 

 said the Captain, " but I must say I am a 

 little disappointed in this Purgatory. The 

 most uncompromising Puritan could not ac- 

 cuse them of over-decorating their churches." 



"Decorating their churches!" said the 

 Parson ; " how on earth could you expect 

 any such thing? Whatever it may be in 

 England, in Ireland the Romish Church is 

 exclusively the church of the poor. Where 

 could their decorations come from? Such 

 things are the offerings of the rich, and are 

 plentiful enough wherever there are rich 

 people, or comparatively rich people, to offer ; 

 but these people would tell you, and tell you 

 truly, that, provided we have offered our best, 

 it matters little how poor or how humble 

 the church be; — and they do offer their best. 

 In Ireland we see the Papal Church in its 



