[92 WILD SPORTS OF THE WEST. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THE LEGEND OF KNOCK-A-THAMPLE. 



In the valley of Knock-a-thample, beside a ruined 

 church and holy well, the shattered walls of what had 

 been once a human habitation are still visible. They 

 stand at a bow-shot distance from the fountain, which, 

 instead of a place of penance for ancient crones and 

 solitary devotees, was visited two centuries since for a 

 very different purpose. 



The well, although patronised by St. Catharine, a 

 lady of as determined celibacy as ever underwent 

 canonisation, had one peculiar virtue, which, under her 

 especial superintendence, it might not have been expected 

 to possess. Indeed, in every-day complaints, its waters 

 were tolerably efficacious ; but, in cases of connubial 

 disappointments, when the nuptial bed had been 

 unfruitful, they proved an absolute specific ; and in 

 providing an heir for an estate, when " hope deferred 

 had made the heart sick," there was not in the kingdom 

 of Connaught a blessed well that could hold a candle 

 to that of Knock-a-thample. 



Numerous as the persons were whom the reputation 

 of the fountain collected from a distance, few returned 

 without experiencing relief. Occasionally, a patient 

 appeared, whose virgin career had been a little too 

 protracted, and to whom the rosary, rather than the 

 cradle, was adapted. — ^And so thought St. Catharine 

 — ^though her water was unequalled, yet she had neither 

 time nor inclination to work miracles eternally ; con- 

 sequently, those ancient candidates for the honours 



