U6 



IRELAND. 



immense mass of basaltic columns upon the northeastern coast. This stupendous work of 

 nature first strikes the spectator with the impression, that an enormous pier or mole was begun 

 upon the beach, the foundations laid and the stones hewn out for building ; but, that the work 

 was suddenly abandoned. This appearance has given rise to its name ; and there is a tradi- 

 tion among the natives, that the giants once began to build a causeway across the sea of 

 Scotland, but were stopped in their undertaking by the ancient Irish heroes. The causeway 

 consists of three piers projecting from the base of a clIfF. The pillars are of a dark color, 

 and so closely united, that it is difficult to thrust the blade of a knife between them. Each 

 pillar is a distinct piece of workmanship ; some of them have 9 sides, but the most have 6. 

 In some places, the causeway rises into cliffs 250 feet above the sea. 



In the neighborhood, are two singular caverns, which admit the entrance of boats. The 

 roofs form almost a regular pointed arch and produce an effect similar to that of s gothic 

 aisle. Some of these caverns are formed of rounded stones and others of walls of basalt. 



POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY " 



1. Divisions. Ireland is divided into 4 Provinces, Ulster, Leinster, Munster, and Con- 

 naught. These are subdivided into 32 counties.* 



2. Canals. The Dublin and Shannon Canal extends from the LifFey at Dublin, across 

 the island to Moy, on the Shannon, G5 miles, 24 of which are across a marsh. The Royal 

 Canal extends nearly parallel to this, and is about 10 miles distant from it. The J^eivry 

 Canal passes along the southern part of the county of Down, and is used for the transporta- 

 tion of coal. The Ulster Canal is intended to unite Loughs Earn and Leagh, and has but 

 recently been projected. A ship canal has also been planned between Dublin and Galway. 



3. Cities and Toivns. Dublin, the capital of Ireland, is delightfully situated at the bottom of 

 a bay on the eastern coast, about a mile from the shore. It is divided by the little river LifFey 

 •nto two equal parts. The city is nearly square, being about 2| miles in extent. The houses 



are generally of brick, and the streets irregu- 

 lar ; but those that run parallel with the river, 

 are, for the most part, uniform and spacious. 

 In the more modern part, they are from 60 to 

 90 feet wide. There are several fine squares, 

 one of which, called Stephen's Green, occu- 

 pies 27 acres, and has a magnificent appear- 

 ance. Sackville Street is one of the finest in 

 Europe. No city, in proportion to its size, 

 has a greater number of elegant buildings. A 

 vast number of country seats and villages are 

 scattered over the country in the neighborhood, 

 and are displayed in a charming manner by the 

 slope of the ground down to the bay. The high 

 lands of Wicklow bound the prospect in the 

 interior, and render the view in every quarter 

 delightful. Yet the stranger will not fail to 

 observe, in Dublin, the most painful marks of indigence and distress. Men, women, and chil- 

 dren, of all ages, are seen in the streets, partially covered with rags, so loosely attached to each 

 other, as to seem on the point of dropping off. Whole streets are filled with wasted mothers, 

 bearing in their arms their pallid offspring ; attenuated and gray-haired men, tottering from age 

 and want ; and others, bearing in their conntenances the evidences of hopeless poverty. The 

 suburbs of Dublin are occupied by the hovels of the poor, which are (ar inferior in cost and 

 comfort, to the cow-houses of the United States. Yet there is a quietness and resignation 

 about these Irish poor, which, to an American, is astonishing. They seem to submit to their 

 condition, as if it were their just lot, and cheer their misery with wit and merriment, whenever ' 

 an opportunity offers. 



Dublin. 



' Counties of Ihet.and. Province nf Ulster. ■ — An- 

 Irim, Armngh, Cavan, Donegal, Down, Fermanagh, Lon- 

 donderry, Monaghan, Tyrone. 



Frovincs of Connaught. — Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Ros- 

 coiu:non, Slijfo. 



Province of Leinster. — Corlow, Dublin, Kildare, Kil- 

 kenny, King's County , Lonirfoid, Louth, Meath, Queen'a 

 County, Westmeath, We.xford, Wicklow. 



Province of Munster. — Clare, Cork, Kerry, Limerick 

 Tippfrarv, VVaterford. 



