Proceed to Carrickarede. 177 



occasion and perpetuate the numerous evils, 

 not less to be lamented than reprobated. Desir- 

 ous as an agent may be to use a discretionary 

 power in tempering the rights of a principal, 

 with benevolent feelings, these can scarcely be 

 delegated : this is the prerogative of ownership, 

 and it is much to be lamented that in Ireland 



it is so little exercised. 



' 



The appearance of the country altered much 

 for the better as we entered the vale of Ballan- 

 tray ; and, as walking would enable us to reach 

 Carrickarede by a nearer path than by passing 

 Ballantray, I sent forward the carriage and 

 horses. A youth, who had joined us while in 

 conversation with his father, offered and was 

 accepted as our guide to the salmon fishery. 



Carrickarede is an object of considerable in- 

 terest to all travellers. The bay is formed by a 

 small island, separated from the main by a nar- 

 row strait. The opposite island, or rather rock, 

 is about sixty yards broad, and three hundred in 

 circumference, with a summit overhanging its 

 base, at a perpendicular height of about one 

 hundred and fifty, or two hundred, feet from the 

 billows below. Over this frightful chasm is sus- 

 pended abridge, formed by two cables, reaching 

 from shore to shore : these are lashed together 

 in imitation of a ladder, and a plank is laid be- 



VOL. I. N 



