cend the road which leads over the hill, and enjoy from it a new and interesting prospect of the islands, town, harbour, ruins, and a martello tower, below; or he may visit, at some distance beneath, the singular precipice called Puck's Rock, appearing to have been insulated by some convulsion, which, also cleaving it nearly in two, left in it the present deep perpendicular fissure. Few have courage to venture into this chasm, but from boats an imaginary colossal figure is often viewed on the face of the rock, near the summit, recorded in a legendary tale to be an evil spirit, who, venturing in days of yore to assail the holy St. Nessan in his retreat at Ireland's Eye, was struck by the saint on the forehead with the sacred 'Garland of Howth' (which by good luck he was employed in reading) and by the force of the blow >transmitted to the opposite coast, where the rock split with the weight of the gigantic figure he had assumed, and he was left secured in the fissure. In the course of centuries, he has by his struggles nearly succeeded in disengaging his body and arms, though one leg still remains firmly wedged in its place of confinement. The limestone found in great abundance on this part of the coast, is in many places very curiously imbedded with fossil shells. Not far distant, at the eastern extremity of the peninsula, on a steep cliff, stands the old light-house, now discontinued; and the new road lately made from hence leads to the southern point of the montory, where a second light-house was erected some years back, the site of which, says Mr. Walsh, "is rendered interesting by a traditionary anecdote. It is a small promontory, nearly detached from the main by a steep cavity. The little peninsula thus formed, from its constant and bright verdure was called the Green Baillé, which in Irish signified a town, or enclosed habitation. Here, it is said, a remnant of the Danish army retired after the battle of Clontarf, insulated the promontory, and

pro

defended themselves till they were carried off in their vessels. It is certain that the excavation had all the appearance of an artificial fosse, before the ancient marks were obliterated by the road, and the works of the present light-house constructed upon it.”*

Slieu Martin, a conical eminence near the centre of the peninsula, has a large cairn on its summit, and near its base the ruins of a very ancient church, or oratory, dedicated to St. Fenton. On Carric-mor, an eminence of less magnitude just beneath, a signal-post has been erected, to communicate with the pigeon-house on the opposite side of the bay. From St. Fenton's. Oratory, a narrow road leads down the hill, till it meets the main road near Kilbarrack Church; and by this, if he thinks proper, having noticed every thing worthy of observation that has occurred in the course of this Ex-, cursion, the traveller may return with us to Dublin.

As remarks have reached us relative to some observations occurring in the present volume, which have appeared to favour particular opinions in religion and politics, notwithstanding the disavowal of all party bias made in our introductory chapter, we may perhaps be permitted to offer a few words in explanation of the line of conduct, which in this respect we have thought it right to pursue. The modern situation of Ireland has so grown out of its past religious and political relations,

* Vol. II. p. 1266.

and the state of the country at the present moment exhibits so many features, for which it is impossible to account without reference to these subjects, (the very mention of which we would for our own parts have gladly proscribed) that a writer is placed in no common difficulties, who has undertaken a work of this nature, with a view to rendering it of a character superior to a mere matter-of-fact detail, but whose first wish at the same time is to avoid giving offence to readers of any class in the country attempted to be described. To succeed in both these objects, it appeared primarily necessary to generalize our remarks of this kind, when called for; but in aiming at this, we are aware that, in a few instances, we have been misapprehended in consequence of that very aim. Our statements have been too general in those instances; want of room, in a work whose limits are circumscribed, as well as adherence to the system mentioned, preventing the detail of such exceptions to general statements, as were perhaps necessary to be particularised in order to the perfect elucidation of our design. With this candid and ready avowal, we trust our Irish readers will be satisfied; accompanying it as we do with the assurance, that we shall feel the experience afford by the past, a monitory caution for the future. At the same time we must be permitted to observe, that the remarks alluded to, as forwarded from the other side of the Channel, in one instance originated in a simple typographical error; and in another, having been led to the exposition, for mere argument's sake, of the opinions entertained by a party in religion, the same want of room just complained of, while it operated to the exclusion of our own setiments, induced the application of those party opinions to us! who, we are proud to say, are of no party-but that which, including as we think the wisest and the best of men, respects the religious and political rights of all, and

in an especial manner desires the union of all on the broad basis of religious and political equality. The passages alluded to will be particularised, and corrected, in the Errata which it will be necessary to append to the concluding volume for the Province of Leinster.

END OF VOL. I.

Youngman, Printer, Witham and Maldon.