and, calling upon them to assemble
on a certain day, at the foot of a mountain in Tipperary, now called
Slieve-na-man. When they had all come together, a host of rival
beauties in their best array, the great chief coolly announced to them
that he was about to ascend the mountain, and that from the summit, he
would make a signal to them, when they should all start fair, and
whoever should first reach the summit, should have the honor and
felicity of being Mrs. Fin MacCual. He then proceeded leisurely up the
mountain, seated himself on an old Druidical altar, at the very topmost
point, and graciously waved his hand to the expectant ladies below.
Off they started like eager young race-horses,--nothing daunted by the
hard course they had to run. Up, up, over rocks and streams, and
patches of black bog--up, up, through woods and briars and furze, they
leaped and climbed and scrambled--laughing and panting and scolding and
screaming! Ah, what sport it must have been for Fin, watching them
from above! Yet, though they all ran well, only one came in winner.
But that was the highest princess of the country--Graine, daughter of
Cormac, monarch of all Ireland. I hope she found her husband worth the
chase.

The great rock of Dunarnase stands alone in the midst of a plain, and
is crowned with the ruins of a castle--once a very strong fortress.
The rock of Cashel is seen from a great distance, and upon its summit
are the finest ruins in all Ireland. This noble height was a
stronghold of the ancient kings of the province of Munster. The first
Christian kings built churches, chapels, towers, and cathedrals here,
and the present ruins are mostly of religious edifices. This imposing
site is much venerated still, and a favorite oath among the Irish
peasantry is--"By the Rock of Cashel!"

Kilmallock, now all in ruins, was once a city of great beauty and
consideration. It was destroyed by the troops of Cromwell, the
desolater of Ireland. Kilmallock was the seat of the ancient and
powerful race of the Desmonds.

Buttevant is a poor little place, but containing the ruins of a fine
old abbey. Near Buttevant are the ruins of Kilcoleman Castle, at which
the great poet Spenser lived, and which was burned by the Irish in a
rebellion. The youngest child of the poet perished in the flames.

Cork is usually ranked as the second city of Ireland, and is a
handsome, pleasant, prosperous looking place. It has not many
interesting antiq