The lady resumed her place by her lord's side, and he continned "At the last parliament of the Pale, I heard much concerning a man learned beyond all others in occult sciences, and surnamed Nathan the Astrologer. His fame was whispered in the court; but no one of our lords could induce him to disclose the secrets of futurity, no matter what guerdon they offered, for Nathan is rich beyond belief. Impelled by curiosity to behold the famous (soothsayer, I left the lord deputy's table one afternoon, and strolled by the Liffey's banks in the direction of the ruined preceptory of the Knights Templars, at Kilmainham -among which, I understood, Nathan had chosen to reside. The shades of evening closed over me ere I left the city's walls, and the watch-fires cast a lurid blaze upon the distant hills; but the moon arose, and, as her silver beams fell upon the proud pile of the Templars, methought I never witnessed a grander or more solemn spectacle. I had taken a seat almost unconsciously on the prostrate columns of the entrance, and was suffering my eyes to glance from broken tower to fallen battlement, my thoughts ever recurring to thee, dearest, and to our only child, when the toll of a bell from the distant city came to mine ear. Its tones, muffled by distance, were so meet for the hour, that my feelings kept time to their chiming, and it was not until roused from my reverie by the presence of a stranger, that I recollected the knell was for a parted soul. "The stranger appeared a man evidently past the prime of life, for grey locks fell down by the side of features furrowed by the ploughshare of time. His aquiline nose, black eyes, and thick lips denoted an eastern origin, to which the turban on his head added confirmation. For the rest, he wore the long white mantle of the Templars; but instead of the heavy, double-edged sword, the terror of the infidels, wore a light sabre, resplendent with jewels. "Who art thou that thus intrudest on my privacy?' demanded the stranger. "I briefly stated my name-that, tempted by the beauty of the night, I had prolonged my walk, and ere I returned, paused to admire the ruins. "I feared the low, base-born feeling of curiosity had tempted the Lord Roche hither,' said Nathan, for it was he; but it is well-avoid curiosity, it is the passion of vulgar minds. Fate is in the hands of God-he seest what we should know, and imparts the knowledge duly.' "Nay, forgive me, illustrious sir, if I ask thee to inform me on one point.' "Foolish, foolish man! what seekest thou?' he replied. Ask not-know not!' "The fate of my boy-how long to live, and how to die?' "Oh, fatal question!-imprudent curiosity! Slowly and mournfully the astrologer repeated the following lines, which tears, like biting acid, have graven on my memory : "Twenty times shall Avonmore "The moment the last words of the astrologer died away in the night breeze, and I had recovered from the stunning effects of his sad prediction, I found myself alone. Where Nathan had departed I could not discover, though for hours I rambled amid the venerable pile, to ascertain if there was no way of averting the doom. How desolate felt the tenantless walls, now silent and deserted. I remembered well, on my first appearing at the Court, the superb banquet that was given in the hall I wandered in that night, sad and heart-broken. Then it blazed with jewels, and the proud array of chivalry. The hum of many voices seemed again present at mine ear; but all were dead or banished. looked on the stalls of the knightstheir seats were vacant, and their banners torn with ignominy from the scene of their gorgeous blazonry. The evening had given way to night; and, as the dew fell heavy and cold, I thought of our dear boy's watery grave, and hurried back, fearful at being alone. "Thenceforth, as you remarked, life has become a blank to me. I absented myself from the council on plea of indisposition, and mingled no more in tilt-yard or banquet. I returned hither at the close of the session, fearful of presenting myself sooner, lest it should alarm thee, sweet one; and oh that I should bear such dismal tidings-that, after a lapse of a few short years, our dear boy must cease to exist that his sunny smile will greet us no more-his accents cease to answer our call-his eyes be closed in death. What have I done, oh, God! to draw down such a calamity on our house?" "Maurice," said the lady, her voice struggling with sorrow, 66 you have told a tale of woe; but who can vouch for the truth? Predictions have been often unfulfilled, and this may be a false one." "Heaven grant it may, dearest. I never thought of that.' " "No, Maurice! I perceive you only looked at the dark side. Have confidence in the Almighty- our child's life is in his hands. He gives and takes away-blessed be his name!" "But the prediction hangs over him," observed Lord Roche. "The time stated for its accomplishment is far distant," replied the lady. "Gerald is barely thirteen, and no danger threatens for seven years." "Meanwhile, then, I will select a site, and build a tower for his residence," said her husband; " and when he passes his twentieth year, he shall live where no water can come nigh him, to wet his ancles, and we shall have him safe and sound." Thus mutually comforting and solacing each other, as is meet in all domestic trials, the lord and the lady returned to the castle. Years rolled swiftly on-not unmarked, however, in Castletown-Roche. The story of the prediction got abroad; and many an aged head shook doubtingly on hearing the great preparations the lord was making to avert the fate of his heir. As the time approached for the fulfilment of the prophecy, Lord Roche resolved to try and avert the accomplishment, and selected the eastern oxtremity of the Nagle's Mountains as a spot remote from the element which was predestined to deprive his son of life. Here he collected materials and skilful workmen; and, before the heir of the title and estates of Maurice Lord Roche completed his twentieth year, a spacious tower looked from the top of Cairn-Thierna over the vast extent of country beneath. The twentieth birth-day came, and Gerald Roche was all that father could wish the son who was to inherit his wealth and name, or mother's care could form. Manly, yet gentle-accomplished in all that befitted his rank, Gerald was not only the darling of his parents, but the delight of all who knew him; and there was not a lip of or woman, as he rode by his father's side to enter his new abode, but prayed for the safe return of young Gerald Roche. man The youth rode by his father's side. He was separated from his mother for the first time, and there is something at all times in parting from those we love that brings sadness to the heart, and depresses the spirit. We miss the accustomed features that ever met us with the kindly smile, the voice that greeted us with the softest toneand what smile or what voice ever reached us like our mother's! For a time Lord Roche and his son rode on in silence; but the sorrows of the young are of brief duration; their elastic spirits quickly recover, each object affording novelty serves to dissipate their grief. They pursued their journey over the Ballyhooly mountains on a pleasant day in spring. The winter had been cold and desolate, and nature seemed to rejoice at its departure. The snowdrop was seen, with its round white blossoms, and the yellow primrose gleamed from the tender blades of green. The birds seemed to enjoy a holiday, and piped merrily like boys released from school. These sights and sounds had their effect on the youthful heart of Gerald. He talked with his father on the sports he would enjoy in the vicinity of his mountain castle. The hills was full of hares he was told, and his greyhounds were remarkable for fleetness. Then he would practice with long and cross bow, and win the President of Munster's prize at the next archery meeting. The master of the stable was to entrust the breaking in of a young colt of great beauty entirely to him, for amusement, and his mother promised to spend the entire summer with him, as soon as her apartments were ready; for, owing to a delay in the drying of the plastering, only one sleeping apartment was sufficiently aired for safety. With such converse they whiled away the road, until the castle of the mountain loomed against the skies. "Oh, how noble !" exclaimed young Roche, as high in air, piercing the clouds, he beheld the tower he was about to inhabit. His father said nothing; for his heart was full of the fatal prediction, and he wound up the steep ascent mournfully and thoughtful. "This is glorious," said the young man, as they paused mid-way to give the horses breath. Already they had ascended considerably above the plains, yet the tower was as high again as they were from the spot where they diverged from the level road. Whichever way they looked, the eyes took a vast and varied prospect. Beneath lay mountain and moor, valley and plain dotted with villages and habitations of peasants, rivers flashed in the far distance. Lord Roche shuddered as he saw the waters, but considered the distance, and thought of safety. The cool breeze of the mountain soon caused a chill which invited motion, and the pair continued their ascent. Arrived at the castle, they were received with cheers by the workmen, who were engaged finishing some work on the outer walls, and the young man rapidly hurried through the various portions of the dwelling with the eagerness of youth. His father could not keep pace with him. The topmost window commanded a splendid view. The sight embraced a rich line of country, enclosed between the Bride and the Blackwater rivers, with the waving trees of numerous forests stretching along the banks. The lofty Galty mountains seemed a wall to the north; while the waters of the distant sea, near Cork harbour, glimmered with reflected sunshine to the south. The day was uncommonly calm, and not too bright, and objects were seen at an almost incredible distance. Perfectly engrossed in the splendour and variety of landscape, Lord Roche for some minutes absolutely forgot the purpose which led him thither; and when he awoke to consciousness, his son was no longer by his side. He called "Gerald," but no Gerald answered. He summoned his attendants; their young master was not with them. They called the workmen; he was not with them. Breath less, Lord Roche descended, running into each chamber, and calling out his son's name. The portal was reached, but no Gerald; the scrutiny of the detached towers was equally fruitlesshe was not to be found! A large vat stood at a distance, a huge black funereal object, used, during the building, to hold water for the making of mortar; it was nearly full, from the winter rains, and something like a bird floated on the surface. Lord Roche approached. Gracious hea ven! it was an ostrich feather, such as his son wore in his cap. He looked closer Oh, God !-the green and stagnant contents held his beloved son, secured in the gripe of death! What induced him to climb the slipperyside? whether the reflection of his figure in the water tempted him to venture in, is unknown, but he was drowned, and fulfilled the prediction. The castle soon went to decay, and the vast heap of stones on the brow of Cairn-Thierna attests the truth of the tale. Resuming our ramble along the Bride, we leave on the north bank the handsome house recently erected by Dr. Barry, and continue along the Middleton road. The river flows through a fine tillage country; but the high lands in the neighbourhood called Gurtroe, are of light poor soil. The name of Gurtroe signifies Red Field, which is appropriate, if from no other cause, from an unfortunate tithe affray which occurred here in December, 1834; here nine unfortunate human beings were shot by the military attending with the magistrates. There is a place near Holly Hill, where fairs are held in September, called Bartlemy's Well, which, it is presumed, is a corruption of Bartholomew. A friend of ours once asked a woman, with a child in her arms, "What is the name of that fine boy?" "Why, then, sir," said she, "his name is Bat, but for brevity's sake we call him Bartholomew !" Bartlemy sounds somewhat shorter. The fairs are very amusing, principally consisting of traffic in horseflesh, and that of the most inferior character. Good animals are sometimes met within it, but such are the exceptions. One fair is called the Tinker's Fair, from its being supposed to be frequented by that vagrant class, in search of donkeys, or miserable species of horses, to carry their wares. Here may be seen a half inebriated, but whole scheming country jockey, belabouring the sides of a wretched Rozinante, rendered half wild by pepper in his tail, and whirling to and fro through the fair, shouting "who dare say swop?" and repeating his cry, though the wretched beast fall actually dead on the fair-field. Another fair is called the plum fair of Bartlemy, considerable quantities of this fruit being vended on the occasion. A small church was built in the parish of Desert, in this vicinage, in 1826. Nearer the river, on the south bank, is Ballinterry, the residence of Archdeacon Ryder, agreeably situated, and surrounded by rich plantations. At Castle Lyons are some objects of interest. The town itself is small, numbering about seven hundred inhabitants, and of very remote antiquity, anciently called Castle-Lehan, from the O'Lehans, an Irish sept who possessed it. This family gave their name to a great part of this country.* In the History of Cork, written in 1748, it is thus described-" It is a well built market town, pleasantly situated, and well watered, in a rich, fruitful soil, a short way from the river Bride, and has some share of trade." In this place John De Barry founded a monastery for conventual Franciscans, Anno 1307. Upon the dissolution it was granted to the Earl of Cork, who assigned it to his son-in-law, the first Earl of Barrymore, or rather to his daughter; for in his will he "bequeaths the rents and profits of this house to his daughter Barrymore, to buy her gloves and pins." A considerable part of this abbey was standing when Smith wrote. He mentions the choir, nave, and steeple of the church; but the traces now extant are confined to a portion connected with the parish church. Smith describes Lord Barrymore's mansion, as a strong and stately house, built on the foundation * Smith's Hist. Cork, Vol. I. p. 156. of the O'Lehan Castle. It was a large square building, with a court in the centre. On one side of this square was a spacious hall, hung round with muskets, swords, bayonets, pistols, and other weapons, ranged in several figures. Another side of the building formed the kitchen, supplied with water from an aqueduct, contrived by an Irish miller at a trifling cost, though a celebrated engineer from England, who had undertaken the supply of water, failed after the expenditure of a considerable sum. To the north was a noble gallery, ninety feet long, and two stories high. There were several splendid apartments, adorned with family pictures. The gardens, with a large canal, were to the west, and in front was a spacious deer-park, washed by the Bride. Alas! for the mutability of earthly objects! Of this superb pile, not completed when Smith wrote, less than a hundred years ago, what now remains? Part of the arches on which the building stood, a broken gable, and portions of the partition walls. And the lordly owners, where are they? Dead!-gone! leaving no inheritor to their name or fortune! Justly may we demand of the builder of the costly mansion"Why dost thou build the hall, son of the winged days? Thou lookest from thy towers to-day-in a few years the blast of the desert comes: it howls through thy empty courts, and whistles round thy half-worn shield." There remain no traces of the Castle of O'Lehan; but a stone was discovered in digging the foundation for Lord Barrymore's house, inscribed, "Lehan O Cullane hoc fecit, MCIIII,"‡ which is anterior to the date assigned for the Castle of Tuam, which was built anno 1161, by Roderic O'Connor, King of Connaught, and then known as the wonderful castle. Several coins of the Henrys, Mary, Elizabeth, James II., and William III., have been found among the ruins, and are in the possession of the Rev. J. B. Ryder. On the 10th of May, 1645, this place was the scene of an action between the troops under Lord Broghill and Lieutenant-General Purcell. Lord Inchiquin, having taken the field with 1,000 horse and 1,500 foot, laid siege to Castle Martyr, leaving Lord Broghill with the cavalry at Castle Lyons, to cover the camp from the Earl of Castlehaven's forces. General Purcell, with the Irish horse, advanced towards Castle Lyons from Fermoy, when Lord Broghill, who had gone to Youghal the night before, to suppress a mutiny, on his return found his army in confusion. Lieutenant-Colonels Ridgway and Bannister, to whom he deputed the command in his absence, were in a state of intoxication, from drinking ryley brought them by an Irish sutler. However, Lord Broghill encouraged his men, and in a letter to the parliament gives such a spirited account of the battle, that we insert it here: ale, "I ordered Major Peasly to keep the road with 80 horse, in four ranks, at the side of the hill, which, at some distance from the enemy, looked like four battalions, with orders, when he had discharged his carbines, to fly and rally in my rear; and having told my men that I would fight, and, by God's blessing, beat the enemy, I drew them to another piece of ground, a quarter of a mile further from the enemy, who boldly came up, and having routed Peasly, pursued in disorder till they perceived the rest of the horse, in eleven battalions, which encountered them fiercely; but 800 Irish musketeers coming up by the side of a ditch, had like to ruin all, if Captain Rogers, with my own troop, had not leaped over the ditch, and defeated them, with the slaughter of 100, on the place. However, the Irish fought so well, that one troop ran away to Castlemartyr, with the news that all was lost; but the rest stood to it so well, that we gained a noble victory; and if we had but 500 foot, we might have defeated their whole army; and had done it as it was, but for an Irish sergeant, with 40 musketeers, who, being posted in the wood, fired so often, as that I thought their whole foot was there. We did not lose an officer, and had only a few wounded. My horse was shot in the neck. The men had been twelve hours either marching, drawing up, or fighting. Ridgway, though drunk, killed nine that day with his own hand. His drunkenness was owing to two tumblers of ryley ale, which he had from an Irish sutler.' In the memoir of the Earl of Castlehaven, he mentions this battle. Finding, by the track, that my horse had passed the ford, and taken their way towards Castle Lyons, I followed. Being come near the top of the hill above the ford, I left those few I had with me drawn up, and, with some officers, went myself to a height to discover. There I saw all the enemy formed in a great plain, with a scrub of wood before them, and my horse in great haste marching through to charge, having with them 100 commanded foot. But the enemy, seeing the squadrons broken as they came on the plain, gave them no time to form, but charged and defeated them." Subsequently, however, Castle Lyons fell into the hands of Lord Castlehaven. In 1691, another engagement took place in this neighbourhood, which is recounted by Sir Richard Cox : "A select party of about 150 of the enemy took a prey from Castle Lyons, and were pursued by a Danish lieutenant, 8 Danes, and 6 of the militia, who kept them in play at the ford of Ballyderawn, till Colonel Donep, with 8 Danes and 18 of the militia, came to their assistance. Then they charged home upon the enemy, and soon put them to the run, with the slaughter of Captain Butler, Lieutenant Condon, two other commission officers, and fifty private men. They also recovered the prey, got forty horses, and a great many cloaks, hats, boots, silver-hilted swords, and other equipage." This town had the honour of a visit, on the 23rd of August, 1698, from the Marquis of Winchester and the Earl of Galway, lords justices, who paid a visit to Colonel Barry. These are the only historical events recorded with respect to it. The church of Castle Lyons is a venerable structure, and built on the site of a more ancient one. As we entered the aisle, it seemed retracing the footsteps of time, and forsaking the present for the past. Close by it is the mausoleum of the Barrymore family, which covers a splendid marble monument, composed of two Corinthian pillars, sustaining a pediment, *MS. at Lismore. |