Lakes of Killarney . 415 



I might add, appals the senses, by their 

 awful, their imposing appearance. The ascent 

 of the mountains is so great and abrupt, that 

 the tops only of those most distant are dis- 

 cerned. 



The length of the upper lake is estimated at 

 two miles its breadth at one. A considerable 

 portion of this space is occupied by islands, 

 whose rocky, rugged shores partake of the 

 general character. The arbutus pending over 

 the rocks alone appears gay, where every thing 

 else is melancholy. 



Our course was directed for Ronnayson's 

 Island, nearly in the centre of the lake, to 

 obtain an elevated situation for commanding a 

 full view of the mountains. The way which 

 leads to the top of the rock is by a path cut 

 through the wood, which excludes every pro* 

 spect until the summit is gained. 



Highly as were our expectations raised, the 

 reality mocked all the creative power which 

 fancy could supply. At once the whole sub- 

 limity of the scene was disclosed to our won- 

 dering imagination ! In silent astonishment I 

 gazed for a length of time. The magnificent 

 grandeur of the whole was too imposing to be 

 I 



