I have wondered at the pass of Bearnosmore
in the county of Donegal ; but neither can
bear a comparison with this chasm, which
nature has cut for two miles through these
mountains.
SOUTH OF IRELAND. 285

Reader, have you ever read Southey's
poem of Roderick, the last of the Goths ? and
if so, don't you recollect his awful description
of the vale of Covadonga, in the Asturias.
By the bye, fine as it is, and good as is the
story of the destruction of the Moors there, I
believe he has taken his outline from Hofer^s
overthrow of a French army in one of the
passes of the Tyrol. At all events, good
reader, read if you can get it, Southey^s poem
of Roderick, and if this little tour in no
other respect pleases you, you will owe it
thanks for directing you to one of the most
delightful poems of modern times. What
Southey says of Covadonga may be well ap-
plied to the pass of Cooleagh. —



(i



Here amidst heaps
Of moantain wrecks, on either side thrown hi^h.
The wide spread traces of its watery might
The tortuous channel woand."

^' No fields of waving com were here.
Vineyard, nor bowering fig, nor fmitfol vine.
Only the rocky vale. The mountain stream.
Incumbent crags, and hills that over hilk
Arose on either hand. Here hnng the yew —
Here the rich heath that o'er some smooth ascent



286 SKETCHES IN THE

Its purplo glory spread — or golden gorse —

Bare here, and striated with many a hue

Scored by the wintry rain, by torrents here,

And with overhanging rocks abrupt.
Here crags loose hanging o'er tho narrow pass

Impended.
