CORK AND ITS ENVIRONS. 269 from their cabins by the way-side for the same purpose. The news brought by the coachman and guard, and loudly proclaimed by them as we were whirled by, produced the loudest and most extravagant shouts of joy. The blessings of "long life to ye," "the blessed God be with ye," &c. &c. followed the coach as long as we were within hearing, while in some instances, the mothers and wives and sisters of those who had been implicated, fell on their knees in the road, and with tears and arms outstretched to heaven, gave utterance to their feelings, in prayers of gratitude and thanksgiving to God. After reaching Macroom, the travel to Cork is beautiful. The country around the city, covered with residences of taste and elegance, the entrance to it, and its whole aspect, equal in their claims of admiration those of most other places visited by us during the summer; and we gave yesterday to the inspection of the town and its environs, with great satisfaction and pleasure. Notwithstanding the near approach of the winter months, the whole surface of the country is fresh and verdant as in spring in the United States, though the foliage of the parks and groves begins to show the "sear and yellow leaf." But for the lateness of the season, in view of our after arrangements, we would complete the circuit of Ireland, by pursuing a route by Waterford and Wexford, through the county of Wicklow, to Dublin; and would now, at least, proceed to Waterford before crossing the channel, were it not for engagements already made in England. To this I have a strong inducement, aside from every other considera tion, in a letter received since my arrival here from Viscount Ingestrie, a gentleman whose acquaintance I had the pleasure of making, as an officer of H. M. ship Blonde, in 1825, under circumstances developing to me principles and affections of mind and heart which commanded my respect at the time, and have secured a lasting remembrance and regard. While at Castle Neynoe, a letter addressed by him to me in America, and which had recrossed the Atlantic, came to hand. That now received is in answer to the acknowledgment sent of the arrival of the former. It incidentally shows that twice during the summer, once in Scotland, and again in the north of Ireland, we must have passed each other in our travels; and adds doubly to the disappointment 1 feel in thus having missed meeting him, by apprizing me that within the passing week himself and Lady Ingestrie will be at Curraghmore Park, a seat of the Marquess of Waterford, a brother of Lady Ingestrie, near that city, with an invitation to meet him there. But this, under existing circumstances, is impracticable; and within the coming hour we shall bid adieu to the Emerald Isle. JOURNEY TO LONDON. 271 LETTER LVI. LAST WEEK IN ENGLAND. Cross the Irish Channel from Cork to Bristol-Travel through sections of Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire, and SurreySeparation in London from Captain Bolton-Mood of mind in unison with the season of the year-Route of travel from Birmingham to Chester-Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Llangollen, Llanrwst, and Bangor-Suspension bridge over the Straits of Menai —Journey to Chester by Aberconway, St. Asaph, and Holywell -Visit at the Palace of Chester-Character of the Bishop, and habits of his family-Rev. Mr. Raikes, Chancellor of the Cathedral-Last impressions in England. DEAR VIRGINIA, Palace of Chester, In this you have my last date in England. After crossing the Irish Channel from Cork to Bristol, Captain Bolton and myself took a rapid journey of two or three days on our way to London, through Somersetshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Surrey-without having it in our power, however, to extend the travel into Sussex and Kent, in which counties, respectively, we had promised ourselves the pleasure of a visit, before leaving England, to Sir Robert Otway, and to Sir Henry Montressor. After a week in the metropolis, my companion and myself were under the unwelcome necessity of bidding farewell to each other, at least for the year 272 PARTING FROM CAPTAIN BOLTON. to come, he to join General Wool, of the U. S. Army, -whom we had the gratification to meet in London in crossing to the continent,-and I to hasten to Liverpool, to embark for New York in the packet ship of the passing week. The associations existing between us-now for a second long period-as intimate friends and fellowtravellers warmly attached to each other, made the separation one of painful regret; and the journey of three days by which I reached Chester, was as widely different, in its sympathies and excitement, from that by which, six months ago, over much of the same road, I arrived in London, as the seared leaf and blasted flower, the eddying wind and gathering gloom of approaching winter, are in contrast with the freshness, bloom, and beauty, the balmy breeze, and joyous smile of June. And during it, as, on every hand, I saw the emblems of the dying year scattered around, "My spirit took a similar tone And sigh'd that it was all alone!” After reaching Birmingham by the route before travelled, 1 directed my course to Shrewsbury; and from thence by Oswestry, Llangollen, and Llranrwst, to Bangor, that 1 might have a peep at Wales, and the gaze of a moment at least, at a masterpiece of art of the kind, in the celebrated suspension bridge over the straits of Menai-an object of beauty not far removed, in its height of one hundred, and length of sixteen hundred feet, from the sublime. The journey to this place was completed along the northern BISHOP OF CHESTER. 273 coast of Wales, amid magnificent views of sea and mountain, by Aberconway, St. Asaph, and Holywell, in the vale of Clwyd. While at Cork I received a letter from the kind and excellent Bishop of Chester, repeating the invitation which had been given to me at Durham, some months since, to visit him in this city on my way to Liverpool. It is now my third day at the Episcopal Palace, and I can scarce express to you, dear V— the enjoyment I have taken beneath the roof of this learned and pious prelate. His whole character in mind and spirit, and the entire habit of life, in himself and in his family, are just such as those of a "bishop of souls" should be, and such as have, since 1 first crossed the threshold of his doors, hourly won more and more of the high respect and warm affection of my heart. He is so dignified, yet so condescending, so wise yet so simple--so kind, so courteous, so meek, and so spiritual, that 1 delight to sit at his feet, and in himself study the genuine spirit and blessedness of the office he fills. His residence is styled "the Palace," from usage and the custom of the times in which it was appropriated to its present purpose; but it is a plain though extensive edifice, immediately adjoining the cathedral, and communicating by a private staircase with it-spacious and lofty in its principal apartments, but as simple in its furniture and ornaments within, as it is unpretending in its architecture without. In the order and regularity, the gentleness, the quiet, and kind spirit of the household, there is a propriety and a charm, which 1 have never seen sur |