| The large steamer having at length arrived, we embarked upon Lough Derg, a noble sheet of water, diversified with bays and reaches, the banks, generally speaking, highly cultivated, and sloping to the water's edge, with dark hills for the background. Here and there the eye was attracted by a villa, or a ruin, on the shore, or a green smooth island in the middle of the waste of waters. Upon the whole, the scene reminded me more of an inlet of the sea than of an inland lake; although, perhaps, this effect was in part produced by the wind, which blew with some violence full in our face. The clouds rushed and darkened, the waves rose and broke, and the vessel pitched and rolled; and, in short, it was a very respectable imitation of the sea in a smart breeze. A passenger landed in the Bay of Scariff, where the lake is at its greatest width; and // it will give the reader some idea of the real magnitude of the commotion, when I say that the boat, as it receded, disappeared frequently between the waves. Holy Island, with its round tower and ruins, in Scariff Bay, is not remarkably picturesque. Hitherto whatever of grandeur the picture exhibited was produced by the mere extent of the water; but, as we approached the further end, this was assisted by the magnitude of the hills which form the termination of the view. It was now almost dark, and the massive forms of this end of the vista reminded me of some of the Scottish lakes. After emerging from Lough Derg I landed at Killaloe, and took up my quarters there for the night. The town is well situated on ground rising from the river, and is becoming an important place as the centre from which the efforts are directed of the Inland Steam Navigation Company. In the engraving is given a charming daylight view of this place, with its bridge of nineteen arches, connecting the two counties of Clare and Tipperary. [Vol. II, p. 191-192] |
