ighted with electricity.
~Kilkenny~, the marble city, easily induces the visitor to linger within
its walls and enjoy fully the attractions of the river Nore. Long ago it
was a keep of "Dermott of the Foreigners," "who had grown hoarse from
many shoutings in the battle," and was given by him as a dowry with
his beautiful daughter Eva to Strongbow. Afterwards it passed, by
purchase, into the possession of the Butlers, Lords of Ormonde. Here a
Parliament was held in 1367, which endeavoured by law to prevent the
absorption of the newcomers by the old Irish race. It tainted the blood
of all who gave their children into fosterage with Irish women, and
penalised the usage of Irish dress and customs. It made it a capital
offence for any of English blood to marry an Irish woman, which was
humorous enough when we remember that Strongbow, "the first of the
foreigners," did so. But the statute was of no avail, and the Butlers in
time became as big rebels as the Geraldines. Here, in 1642, the
Confederate Catholics held their Parliament. Among other things they
drafted a scheme of local government for the country, and set up the
first printing press in Ireland. ~St. Canice's Cathedral~, the Round
Tower, one hundred feet high, the Black Abbey, and Franciscan Friary,
are the principal ecclesiastical objects of interest. The Round Tower is
at the southern side of the Cathedral. This latter building, which is of
an Early Pointed Style, was founded in the twelfth or thirteenth
century. The pavement is of the famous Kilkenny marble. The principal
object of interest in the building is St. Kieran's Chair, against the
wall in the northern transept.

[Illustration:]

[Illustration: _Photo, Lawrence, Dublin._ Kilkenny Castle.]

The grounds of the Franciscan Friary have been overbuilt by a brewery,
but the fine seven-light window and tower still stand. The ~Black
Abbey~, a thirteenth century foundation, has come back into the
possession of the Order of Preachers, or Dominicans, who have restored
it. The small parish church near the northern transept of St. Canice's
contains a window commemorative of Lieutenant Hamilton, V.C., of
Inistioge, who was killed in the massacre of the Cavagnari Expedition by
the Afghans in 1879. From the market place, Kilkenny Castle, the noble
seat of the Butlers, may be entered. In the absence of the family of
the Marquis of Ormonde, the public are allowed to visit the castle. It
is a practically modern residence,