Lakes of Killarney. 401 



to obscure all our prospects, until we had nearly 

 approached the opposite side, when a sudden 

 burst of sunshine pierced the gloom, and in- 

 stantaneously " the curtain of heaven drew 

 up/' and exhibited Glena, to our admiration, in 

 all its majestic grandeur. This gleam of light 

 falling exclusively on the mountain, while all 

 else remained in obscurity, added a splendid 

 solemnity to its appearance. Before us was 

 Glena, single and alone, clothed with um- 

 brageous wood from its base to a considerable 

 elevation ; while its upper regions and lofty 

 summit, robed with rich purple heath, aug- 

 mented the fascination by the contrasted 

 colouring of these covering mantles. Here 

 sat the smile of beauty, there stood the frown 

 of majesty, contending for superiority, and dis- 

 puting which should decide the appropriate 

 character of the mountain. The deep tints of 

 the purple heath were momentarily dimmed by 

 light masses of fog, passing rapidly over its 

 summit, or along its side at different heights ; 

 conspiring in a singular manner, by the al- 

 ternate light and shade, to beautify the view. 

 The sight was so novel and extraordinary as to 

 border on enchantment, while the fear of its 

 closing every instant heightened the admir- 

 ation of the moment. Nothing could have 

 been devised or wished for, to make the im- 

 VOL. i. 2 D 



