some centuries ago, by order of the reigning prince. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the circumstances, but I believe the victim was a youth of noble family. Four miles from the city, in another direction, stands the ancient Castle of Carrigogunnel. A little party of us visited this also. The name I believe is purely Irish, and means "Rock and Candle." Of course it has its legend; our guide endeavoured to enlighten our minds upon the subject, but he was so tedious I could not hear him out, but hurried away in search of curiosities. I understood this much however, that while it was inhabited, and very long afterwards, a candle, in the night, was always seen burning in some particular spot-that it was connected with certain diabolical rites, &c. Who the first owner was, or the circumstances of its foundation, are lost from the pages of history. The first authentic account we have of it, is, that one O'Brien, prince of Thomond, had it in possession about five hundred years ago; and that it had often suffered by sieges, had been taken and re-taken; and that much blood has been shed around and inside its walls. It came to the crisis of its fate in 1691; and after a desperate resistance, was taken and blown up. Such was the strength of its walls, eighty-four barrels of gunpowder were required for its destruction. Notwithstanding this, it is far more perfect than Castle Connel. The basaltic rock upon which it stands, is about a quarter of a mile in circumference, and with the ruins, five hundred feet above the level of the Shannon. The walls, with the exception of a few breaches, are standing; also two of the towers, and in a remarkable state of preservation. The place where the first breach was made was pointed out; and the niche in the neighbouring hill where the besieging army had their artillery planted. We ascended one of the towers by means of a In some spiral staircase of hewn stones, exquisitely wrought into each other. The stones are so constructed as to give an idea of successive columns, perhaps twelve feet high. It is curious to see these perpendicular columns preserved, and at the same time the spiral ascent continually maintained. The masonry is just as perfect as it was probably five hundred years ago. In our ascent we entered into a variety of little chambers, all desolate; floors of solid masonry, arched, but without any apparent curve. we observed trap doors, designed either as a trap to the unsuspecting, or as a means of escape, should the staircase be taken by an enemy. When we arrived at the crumbling top, we were nearly three hundred feet from the bottom of the rock. The view was extensive and beautiful. I imagine you are thinking about a scenery of ice and snow; but you must not confound the climate of Old Ireland with the rigorous one of North America. The atmosphere here, in the depth of winter, is generally as soft and mild as you are favoured with in the middle of May. The many reaches of the Shannon were visible to the extent of forty miles, dotted with vessels and islands. Then the surrounding landscape, enlivened by distant glimpses of the river Fergus, and the varied windings of the serpentine Mague. Turning to another point of the compass, we saw in the distance the city of Limerick, with its towers and spires; to the right, a placid little loch; and to the left, on the opposite side of the Shannon, the mountains of Clare; while the intervals were filled up with the pretty sights peculiar to rural scenery,-cattle browsing in the greenest pasturage,-gentlemen's seats reposing in woods,-farm-houses, humble cottages, and villages; while directly beneath lay a wilderness of broken fragments, such as a gunpowder tempest only could produce. It would give me pleasure to describe the many singular spots and places, in and around this ruin, but I fear my despatch will be quite large enough. We took a peep into the dungeon, out of which they had lately dug many cart-loads of human skulls and bones. It lies deep in the foundations of one of the towers. Here many a poor fellow pined his life away. The walls of the chapel are standing, covered with ivy. What warlike beings used to worship here. When departing through the shattered gateway of the Castle, now gateless, I was struck with the sentinel's lonely recess. Ah, I thought, where is the sentinel now ? The reply was, "in the dust." But whither has fled the immortal mind? Thought answered thought mournfully, either chained in the dismal fortress of hell, or a free and joyful spirit in the city of the living God. We may say the same of the many thousands, who, centuries ago, passed through this outlet, either in sallying forth to the battle, or retreating from the pursuing foe; death has swept away every one of them, "While Desolation snatching from the In dreadful majesty and horrid pomp, Glancing with sullen pride, thy crumbling towers, Then pointing to the mischief she has made, The fiend exclaims this once was Carrigogunnel." After walking around the rock, and viewing the frowning battlements from various points, we returned, highly gratified with our excursion. February 26th.-A variety of engagements have hindered me from finishing this letter till now. My correspondents so multiply, that part of each day is employed in answering letters. Mr. Mathews and I have been engaged lately in visiting from house to house, praying with the families, and exhorting sinners to turn to God. I preach every night in the week except Monday and Saturday. There is a gracious move among the people; sixty persons came forward night before last to testify, that during the last few weeks they had found "redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins;" and afterwards, eighty awakened sinners came forward for the prayers of God's people, five or six of whom were converted before they departed. Glory be to God in the highest! I remain, dear Sir, your very affectionate brother in Jesus Christ, J. C. LETTER XXII. TO MY SISTER. Dear Sister, Cork, March 19, 1842. Yesterday morning I left Limerick by stage coach, and arrived in this city a little past five p. m. Thirty miles of our rout lay through an interesting country, but the remainder of the way was exceedingly dull, and the weather bleak. We had a very gracious work of God in Limerick. One hundred and thirty persons professed the salvation of the Gospel, and about ninety united with the Methodist Church. I was informed that other churches had received some benefit from the revival; to what extent I am not able to say. A few days before I departed I was invited to take breakfast with a number of the friends in the vestry. There were about forty present. When the cloth 0 was removed, the Rev. J. F. Mathews, superintendent of the circuit, rose, and after a short speech, a copy of which was given to me afterwards, he presented me with a valuable patent lever watch; together with an address, signed by the chairman and secretary of the meeting. I rose and returned Mr. M. and the friends my hearty thanks, stating that I should be most happy to receive the beautiful timepiece, did I not possess a good one already; that one watch was quite enough for a methodist preacher-that if they would consent to receive mine, and do what they pleased with it, I would gratefully accept their elegant present; but only on these terms. It was then resolved that the Rev. John F. Mathews should be presented with my watch. I accompanied it with a short address, but I felt so unworthy, and was so overcome with the unexpected kindness shown me, that I could scarcely proceed. Mr. M. received it with such expressions of brotherly love, as have left an indelible impression upon my heart. The following are the copies of the addresses on the occasion :— Reverend and very Dear Sir, At the request of a few of our Brethren of the Wesleyan Society, some of whom, through you, have been led to the Saviour, and united to His people, we address you a few lines, now on the eve of your departure from us to another field of labour and usefulness. We feel inadequate to give expression to our feelings of respect and regard to you, for your great and unwearied exertions, during your visit to this city. The results have greatly exceeded our highest anticipations. When we consider the large attendance of deeply attentive congregations that from night to night sat under your ministry; the numbers who |