account from
him of the happy isles he had landed on in the far west, determined,
under the strong desire of winning heathen souls to Christ, to undertake
a voyage of discovery himself. And aware that all along the western
coast of Ireland there were many traditions respecting the existence of
a western land, he proceeded to the islands of Arran, and there remained
for some time, holding communication with the venerable St. Enda, and
obtaining from him much information relating to his voyage. Having
prosecuted his inquiries with diligence, Brendan returned to his native
Kerry; and from a bay sheltered by the lofty mountain that is now known
by his name, he set sail for the Atlantic land; and, directing his
course towards the south-west, in order to meet the summer solstice, or
what we should call the tropic, after a long and rough voyage, his
little bark being well provisioned, he came to summer seas, where he was
carried along, without the aid of sail or oar, for many a long day.
This, which it is to be presumed was the great gulf-stream, brought his
vessel to shore somewhere about the Virginian capes, or where the
American coast tends eastward, and forms the New England States. Here
landing, he and his companions marched steadily into the interior for
fifteen days, and then came to a large river, flowing from east to west:
this, evidently, was the river Ohio. And this the holy adventurer was
about to cross, when he was accosted by a person of noble presence--but
whether a real or visionary man does not appear--who told him he had
gone far enough; that further discoveries were reserved for other men,
who would, in due time, come and Christianise all that pleasant land.
It is said he remained seven years away, and returned to set up a
college of three thousand monks, at Clonfert.--"Caesar Otway's Sketches
in Erris and Tyrawley," note, pp. 98, 99.]

THE VOCATION.

[When St. Brendan was an infant, says Colgan, he was placed under the
care of St. Ita, and remained with her five years, after which period he
was led away by Bishop Ercus in order to receive from him the more solid
instruction necessary for his advancing years. Brendan always retained
the greatest respect and affection for his foster-mother, and he is
represented, after his seven years' voyage, amusing St. Ita with an
account of his adventures in the ocean.]

O Ita, mother of my heart and mind--
My nourisher, my fosterer, my friend,
Who taught me