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The Celtic magazine. A monthly periodical devoted to the literature ...

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THE CELTIC MAGAZIis^E. 37expeditions from INIorven <strong>to</strong> Ireland. Let him <strong>the</strong>n, by direct communication,which is occasionally possible from Arran ; or by any circuit hepleases, disembark in <strong>the</strong> Bay of Larne " with its bosom of echoing woods,"as Fingal himself must have done ; and <strong>the</strong>re, Avith Fingal and Teniorain hand, let him survey <strong>the</strong> entire region between Larne and Belfast. Lethim march Avith his eyes open by <strong>the</strong> pass of Glenoe, and try <strong>to</strong> ascendit on tlie old track— by <strong>the</strong> " narrow way at <strong>the</strong> stream of <strong>the</strong> battle ofthousands," round <strong>the</strong> double-headed rock <strong>the</strong>re by moonlight, or in <strong>the</strong>misty dawn ; and before attempting this, let him look carefully aroundamong <strong>the</strong> limes<strong>to</strong>ne cliffs for any o<strong>the</strong>r reasonable opening ; and if hedoes not begin <strong>to</strong> suspect, at least, that it was here Cuchullin s<strong>to</strong>od, andCalmar fell, against <strong>the</strong> invading Norse, he must be "hopelessly convinced"<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> contrary, indeed. Onwards let him prosecute his journey, lookingbackAvards occasionally <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> sea, Avhere <strong>the</strong> sliips of Fingal should beappearing—onAvards among marshy Lenas, open Straths, half cultivatedHeaths—Avith an occasional monolith among <strong>the</strong> enclosures, testifying <strong>to</strong>what has once been done <strong>the</strong>re ; onwards, Avith his eye noAv <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> ridgeson <strong>the</strong> left—on one of Avhich, beloAv Carneal or <strong>the</strong>reabouts, <strong>the</strong> headquartersof Fingal must have been before <strong>the</strong> campaigns began—onAvardsuntil he <strong>to</strong>uches <strong>the</strong> source of <strong>the</strong> Six-Mile-Water above Balynure ; and<strong>the</strong>re, looking steadily Avestward doAvn <strong>the</strong> strath Avhere <strong>the</strong> river Avinds,let him recall <strong>the</strong> very words of <strong>the</strong> text in his hand— " Xor settled from<strong>the</strong> s<strong>to</strong>rm is Erin's sea of AA-ar ; <strong>the</strong>y glitter beneath <strong>the</strong> moon, and, lowhummmg,still roll on <strong>the</strong> field. Alone are <strong>the</strong> steps of Cathmor, before<strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> heath; he hangs forAvard Avith all his arms on Morven'sflying host. . . . <strong>The</strong>y who Avere terrible were removed : LubarAvinds again in <strong>the</strong>ir host " :—and <strong>the</strong>n ask himself deliberately if <strong>the</strong>Avhole scene, AA'ith <strong>the</strong> relative changes of position in <strong>the</strong> contendmgarmies, <strong>the</strong> retreat of <strong>the</strong> one that had been advancing, <strong>the</strong> pursuit of <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r that had been retreating, <strong>the</strong> recrossing of <strong>the</strong> stream by both oversome of its hundred links, and <strong>the</strong> temporary pause of battle in thatvalley^ with hosts on ei<strong>the</strong>r side of <strong>the</strong> liver which noAv floAved through<strong>the</strong> ranks of one of <strong>the</strong>m, whilst tlie o<strong>the</strong>r Avas in retreat up <strong>the</strong> ridgecould have been more truly described by poet or geographer than it hasbeen in <strong>the</strong>se feAA-- Avords of Ossian? OuAvard let him proceed, if hepleases, by Ballynure and Ballycla re <strong>to</strong> Lough Neagh ; or let him returnagain across <strong>the</strong> valley <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> north, in a line at right angles <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> roadbetAveen Larne and Connor. But before he moves from <strong>the</strong> spot let himglance round for a moment <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> south, in <strong>the</strong> direction of Carrickfergus— " Avhere a valley spreads green behind <strong>the</strong> hill [literally spreads] Avithits tliree blue streams. <strong>The</strong> sun is <strong>the</strong>re in silence ;[that <strong>to</strong>uch isAvonderfid—no Avar, as yet, is <strong>the</strong>re] and <strong>the</strong> dun mountain roes comedoAvn." Let him search <strong>the</strong>re at leisure, if he pleases, and he Avill find<strong>the</strong> stream of <strong>the</strong> Noisy Vale, where poor Sulmalla saw <strong>the</strong> vision ofCathmor's ghost, and "<strong>the</strong> lake of roes," where Lady Morna died, stillLoch Mourne, a little far<strong>the</strong>r east on <strong>the</strong> mountain. But if this shouldbe inconvenient, <strong>the</strong>n by a step or tAvo forAvard <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>to</strong>p of <strong>the</strong> ridge on<strong>the</strong> right he Avill come in vieAV of <strong>the</strong> nor<strong>the</strong>rn branch of <strong>the</strong> Six-j\Iile-Water ; and noAv let liim steadily consider Avhat he sees. From east <strong>to</strong>west before him, lies <strong>the</strong> Drumadarraglj range ; betAveen himself and Avhich

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