"SUN-SPEARING." 133 



the slightest movement, the water will scarcely be 

 found in a proper state for our work. Assuming, 

 however, that these natural anemoscopes are true to 

 their delicate functions that nature, like Narcissus 

 at the fountain, hangs her head in perfect repose, as 

 if absorbed in the contemplation of her own works 

 reflected in the watery mirror, we may confidently 

 push forth our little bark from the shore. While 

 this preparatory step is being made, I may observe 

 that the waters which I have found best suited for 

 this sport are situated in the midland counties of 

 Ireland. Eesting on the great central plateau of the 

 island, these waters are generally not very deep ; and 

 some of them as the Inuiel, Owel, Lane, Sheelin, 

 and parts of Dereveragh present shallow shores and 

 extensive flats covered by not more than ten or 

 fifteen feet of water. In these, and doubtless in 

 many other large lakes of the island, the amusement 

 may be practised with success. Upon one of these 

 we are now afloat ; and as the oldest of the embarka- 

 tion, I suppose I must 



" Shoulder my crutch, and show how eeh were won." 

 One of the first things I would point out to the no- 

 vice, on crossing his oars, taking the spear in his 

 hands, and standing forward in the bow of Dingey, 

 is the extraordinary distinctness with which all ob- 

 jects are seen at the bottom. This is so remarkable 

 that I intend to correct Cavendish's formula for the 



