Spenser, in the Faërie Queene, has described

the Shannon as

"The spacious Shenan, spreading like a sea ;"

and he thus describes Ireland, while he "much pities that 'sweet land,' that, above all other countreyes that he knew, it should bee thus miserably tossed and turmoyled with these variable "stormes of affliction, wherein she hath thus

wretchedly beene wracked. And sure it is yet a "most beautifull and sweet countrey as any is "under heaven, being stored throughout with many

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goodly rivers, replenished with all sorts of fish "most abundantly; sprinkled with many very sweet ilands and goodly lakes, like little inland seas, that will carry even shippes upon their "waters; adorned with goodly woods, even fit for "building of houses and ships, so commodiously,

as that if some princes in the world had them,

they would soone hope to be lords of all the seas,

and, ere long, of all the world: also full of very "good ports and havens opening upon England,

as inviting us to come unto them, to see what "excellent commodities that countrey can afford; "besides the soyle it selfe most fertile, fit to yeeld "all kinde of fruit that shall be committed there"unto. And, lastly, the heavens most milde and temperate, though somewhat more moist then the parts towards the west.”—(View of the State of Ireland).

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Spenser speaks of the goodly ports and havens opening to England; Sir John Davis speaks of the safe and large ports and havens lying open for traffick into all the western parts of the world too. He also speaks of the long inlets of many navigable rivers:-"During the time of my service in Ireland (which began in the first year of His Majesties reign), I have visited all the provinces of that kingdom, in sundry journeys and circuits; wherein "I have observed the good temperature of the air, "the fruitfulness of the soil, the pleasant and com" modious seats for habitation, the safe and large ports and havens lying open for traffick into all "the western parts of the world; the long inlets of many navigable rivers, and so many great lakes "and fresh ponds within the land, (as the like are "not to be seen in any part of Europe); the rich fishings, and wild fowl of all kinds; and, lastly, “the bodies and minds of the people endued with extraordinary abilities of nature."-(Historical Relations).

Limerick is not a town upon the western coast, but she has the advantage of being deep-set on one of those long inlets towards the heart of the country, and in "Mounster, which is the sweetest soyle "of Ireland."

The city is admirably situated for commerce with the West Indies and America; and by the Steam Navigation established on the Upper Shan

non by Mr. Grantham, and the Canal, and a Mailcoach Establishment, almost as good as any in the empire; it is now in close union with Dublin, and its highly improved and progressively improving harbour*, the focus of London, Bristol, Liverpool, and Glasgow.

A Rail-road has been also projected by Mr. Nimmo, between Limerick and Waterford.

Now, what I propose is, that Limerick should get the entire advantage of that auspicious geographical position, of which she is but half in possession at present, by reason of those obstructions and perils in her Navigation, which I shall endeavour to point out the means of removing.

Like one of the Spirits described in the Revelation, as bound in the great river Euphrates, so is the commercial spirit of this city bound in the great Shannon; and my object is to loose it, that it may join "the spirits that hold the winds of Heaven," by breaking its bonds, by annihilating those obstacles that now create retardation and peril to the Navigation.

Let any one, supposing those obstructions and perils to be removed, expand before his eyes the map of the world; let him read the History of the Steam Engine; and let him at the same time take

Howth Harbour, and Kingstown, have been, as it were, created in addition to the old ones.

another quantity, as a third element, into his calculation, viz. "the quantity of mind*" working fervidly and incessantly all over the world, since the days of Watt, to bring Steam Navigation to still higher and higher progressive perfection ;now, after working his calculation with these geographical, physical, and metaphysical elements, as his data, let him point out another spot upon the globe, so likely as Limerick, to become such a point of contact as I have described.

This city, venerable by its antiquity, and, as I have said, and say again, almost sanctified in Irish history, abounds at this hour with objects of picturesque, and solemn, and romantic interest. The antique Castle, "built by King John of England,” with its massive towers, washed by the waters of the majestic river;-the ancient Bridge, Thomond bridge, over which are seen the mountains of Clare; and at the end of the bridge, opposite the castle, at Thomond gate, is the stone-" the Stone

of Sorrow"-on which, according to tradition, was signed, in presence of both armies, the Treaty of Limerick! At a short distance from the castle, stands the Gothic Cathedral, the Church of St. Mary, originally the palace of one of the Irish Kings, with dark trees beneath its tower. In the lower part of the old town, near gardens and

For this admirable form of expression, I am indebted to my friend Mr. Penn, the Engineer.-"That depends," said he to me one day, upon the quantity of mind a man has.”

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In this, the Irish garrison laid down their arms to Ireton.

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orchards, towards that part of the Shannon called the Abbey River, are the remains of priories, monasteries, and convents; and some of the ancient city-walls are to be seen near St. Peter's Cell. Here the Nuns of St. Clare have their convent, their solemn little Gothic chapel, and an extensive school. On two sides of their garden are ancient Gothic ruins. The convent of the Ursulines is on the opposite side of the Shannon. The Knights Templars had a preceptory near the river, but the site alone is known at present. Baal's Bridge is an ancient structure, connecting the Irish and English towns, with houses upon its western side. The convents of the Dominican and Augustinian Friars are in the 'new town, which is built upon what was formerly called St. Prior's Land. This new town (New Town Pery) is beautiful. There are extensive quays for the shipping. A new bridge is in pro gress, which is very much wanted, and will be an extraordinary improvement. The surrounding country is delightful, the women of Limerick are lovely, the men are patriotic, hospitable, and brave.

Such is Limerick at the present hour. The Pool of Limerick is in the Shannon, about a mile below the town. In the Pool* are several rocks; some

*Vessels that draw seven or eight feet, may ride 'afloat in it; and, as the bottom is soft mud, large vessels need not be "afraid to lye aground on it. Ships that draw twelve feet, by "waiting till half flood, may get up to the Pool of Limerick."Norie's Piloting Directions for the South, West, and North Coasts of Ireland.

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