Castle of Lismore. 27 



overhanging the Black Water, whose opposite 

 bank is bold and well clothed with wood, with 

 'cautifiil and rich valley beneath, extending 

 to Coppoquin, it possesses in its locale, all that 

 i> necessary to form a princely residence : to 

 make it really so, a revolution must be effected 

 in the condition of the surrounding inhabitants ; 

 or joyless will be the abode, where the eye may 

 not venture to look beyond the limits of the 

 palace, lest it encounter the misery of the sur- 

 rounding people. A castle, as at present, in 

 ruins, comports with a town in a state of decay. 

 Restore the palace only, and the wretchedness 

 of the place will be increased by the contrast. 

 I sincerely wish the noble personage may con- 

 tinue his predilection for this spot, as the probable 

 consequences would be the adoption of mea- 

 sures that would stimulate to industrious pur- 

 suits all classes in its neighbourhood. The 

 proudest distinction of nobility is the inclina- 

 tion and ability to augment the sum of human 

 happiness in the case before us, a prospective 

 return of increased revenue, as well as the pre- 

 sent indulgence of our finest feelings, proclaim 

 the wisdom and humanity of the undertaking. 

 The castle and its immense appendent domains 

 are not the objects here most to be envied 

 the power of converting idleness and indigei 

 into activity and independence, cannot be sug- 



