DUBLIN.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IV, Issue 203, 23 February 1877, Page 1

DUBLIN.

§EW cities in the world arc more favorably reported of than is the Irish capital, one of who 39 leading streets forms the subject of our illustration this week. Art has contributed much to reader the town attractive, for its public buildings are remarkable for their beauty, and those quarters in which are situated the residences of the more wealthy citizens ara generally handsome and well designed. But much as art has done towards the enrichment of the metropolis in question Nature has accomplished still

r\uore, for she has embellished the country surrounding with a thousand beauties, and spread out in the immediate vicinity a noble bay. What traveller who has visited Ireland has failed to be delighted with the entrancing prospect that unfolds itself before his gaze as he approaches the shores of the Emerald Isle, arriving from Holyhead or Liverpool ? On his right the Hill of Howth raises its rugged brown mass from the sea, and while the city with its swarming domes and spires lies in front, to the left aie seen the island and lesser heights of Dalkey and Killiney with the sweep of country, highly cultivated and studded with villas, that slopes away to the Dublin mountains, behind which rise the more

distant ranges of Wicklow, the whole terminating in the bold promontory of Bray. But hardly might the brush of the painter, much less the pen of the writer, depict the chief charm of the landscape — its won lrous coloring ; especially if it be at the season when the heather bloom 3 and the mountains ara dyed in crimson from summit to base. Where else shall be fou id a city from whence suc'i charming scenes may hi gained, nob only by a drive but even by a walk of no exceeding length ? An hour by rail and sei-siie cliff 3 are reached, where the denizan of the crowded streets may bo reinvigorated by fresh breezes odorous with the scent of the gorse blossom and innumerable wild hill flowers, while he watches the waves dashing against the rocks hundreds of feet below where he

stands ; or else lie may be carried out by horse or steam to wander amongst picturesque mountain glens, or on the bank of some stream noted for its beauty; beneath the fragrant hawthorn branches of the Park, or through shady lanes and retired meadows ; or, if the study of antiquity delight him, he may find at no great distance from the bustling haunts of business remnants of the past that will serve to recal to him memories of generations long gone by. Nor is it necessary to depend upon a conveyance for, the enjoyment of such pleasures ; they who are of more robust habits may without over-fatigue requite themselves for working hours spent amidst the turmoil of the town by an evening passed imthe tranquility of rural surroundings tlirt have been gained 00-loot.

How often, for instance, when the tasks of a summer's day had concluded have we left the streets and passing through a southern suburb ascended the hills, where seated amidst the fern and heather by the side of some clear rill that poured down from the mountains in the reai*, we have enjoyed the pleasures of a perfect j solitude within full view of the populous city. How easy it wis then to fall into a day dream, and once more to people the metropolis and its neighborhood with the men of . otheithlies. If the memory did not care to stretch back through i many ages to the famous Good Friday, when there across the bay to the north Brian conquered the D.mes at Clontarf, nor to when in times less glorious for Erin Irishman, Ostman, and Anglo- ' Norman were engaged in a deadly struggle in the streets beneath , us, nor yet to later years when Lords Deputies plotted against the welfare of the native chieftains, and many a deed of wrong was t coolly planned and foully executed ; it was, at least, of interest to review in mind the efforts of patriotism at the close of the last ' century, to speculate as to what would have been the effects upon the country had the famous resolution of the Volunteers survived to our days, or had the eloquence of Grattan been potent to accomplish, all that the orator had devoted his life to ; to look forward ! also to a brighter future, when a Parliament should be again assembled upon Irish soil, and Dublin occupying her true rank amongst cities should lift up her head as the capital of a great nation, rather than, as now, acknowledge herself with shame to be no more than the chief town of a subject province. But let us enter the city and discover what may be its aspect : in streets of good proportions and fine appearance — the widest of them being Sackville-strcet, which forms the subject of our illustration, and which may compare favorably with the other leading thoroughfares of Europe — lively crowds are hastening to and fro. Cabs, carriages and omnibuses, together with that peculiar national vehicle, the outside car, are speeding on their way ; nor are the wains of heavier traffic wanting ; all is life and motion. Now and then are to be heard, escaping from the general confusion of sound.asnatch of conversation, or some witty repartee, the utterance of which forms so distinctive a mark of the race to which these citizens belong. On every side are to be seen bright looks and gay costumes. A | well-favored, kindly people, distinguished by refined tastes and good manners, are evidently abroad, and a stroll over the pavements they frequent cannot fail to be attended with pleasure. Large and well-furnished shops with the goods showily displayed in their windows characterise the business streets; those fillod with private residences are many times handsome and always of respectable aspect. Here and there are to be found squares, laid out as pleasure-grounds and well filled with trees and flowering plants ; and scattered thickly all over the town are public buildings, government edifices, educational institutions, theatres, hospitals, exhibition buildings in connection with the arts and sciences, convents and churches. Of these latter, the principal in point of antiquity and architecture are the Cathedrals, St. Patrick's and i Christchurch, the first-mentioned said to occupy the site of a church j liuilt by St. Patrick, the second restored, under the name of the Most Holy Trinity, by the Earl of Pembroke, otherwise known as Strongbow, and wherein that adventurous warrior was buried ; the Archbishop, St. Lawrence O'Toole, who had vigorously opposed his arms, charitably officiating at his obsequies. These two venerable buildings to which we allude have, however, long since been desecrated, and perverted from their rightful service. They are held by the authorities of the Anglican Communion and are remarkable for the excellence of the music performed in them, but so little is the presumably spiritual character of their worship recognised, that even by members of the sect which acknowledges it as an expression of its faith it is not unusual to hear the choral celebration of the evening service in St. Patrick's Cathedral spoken of as " Paddy's Opei*a."

The Catholic Churches which have suffered no desecration are all modern, and none are remarkable for any extraordinary beauty. Times, however, seem more hopeful, and if it be too much to look forward to the restitution to its just owners of at least one of the ancient cathedrals spoken of, we trust the day is nob far removed when a temple will be erected that will be a worthy monument of the victorious faith of a mighty nation.