Arrangements for Visiting the Lakes. 399 



For the first time during our excursion, our good 

 fortune had deserted us; but we soon had an 

 offer of a small fishing boat, many of which are 

 occasionally employed, when the others are not 

 to be procured. Rates have been established 

 for the hire of Lord Kenmare's ^boats, to pre- 

 vent impositions. Double the expense of the 

 boat however, is contrived to be charged, 

 under the head of refreshments and liquor for 

 the boatmen. Complaints are frequently made 

 of extravagant demands on visitors to our 

 northern lakes, but they bear no comparison to 

 the exactions made here ; yet it seems in some 

 degree but reasonable that, in consideration of 

 the resort here being confined to a few months, 

 greater charges should be made than where the 

 business is constant and regular. 



Our anxiety for exploring the beauties of the 

 lake superseded every other consideration ; and 

 we set out, regardless of the falling rain, and in 

 the hope of sunshine. 



Lord Kenmare's house is at the head of the 

 principal street ; it is a large pile of building, 

 without any appearance, either in itself or 

 situation, to recommend it. The grounds about 

 it are confined, and skirted by a considerable 

 tract of bog. 



