CHAPTER XI.

Killaloe.—Excursion on Lough Derg.—Beggars.—Visit to the
Lunatic Asylum, and Jail at Limerick.

Killaloe, Monday morning.—I am sitting at an
open window in Clarisford House, which looks
on a lovely view of mountains, valleys, and the
fine woods which surround this place. The
soft summer air wafts the perfume of roses and
a thousand flowers from the brilliant parterre
beneath; that of the sweet clover-hay from the
fields beyond; and the heath and wild thyme
from the distant mountains. The river—the
"old river"* Shannon, rushes over purple rocks
through yonder meadow land; and its soothing

*The words "Shan-non,'' I was told, mean "old river."