and sea-coast to be had from certain eminences, and abundant
undulations,--some of these wild and picturesque enough; but the great
element of all was wanting,--there was no foliage, or next to none.

Trees will not grow in this inhospitable climate, or only grow in the
clefts and valleys; and even there their stunted growth and scathed
branches show that the northwest wind has found them out, twisting their
boughs uncouthly towards the eastward, and giving them a semblance to
some scared and hooded traveller scudding away before a storm.

Vegetation thrives no better. The grass, of sickly yellow, is only fit
for sheep, and there are no traces of those vast tracts of verdure which
represent culture in the South of Ireland. Wealth had fought out the
battle bravely, however, and artificial soils and trees and ornamental
shrubs, replaced and replaced by others as they died off, combated the
ungrateful influences, and won at last a sort of victory. That is to
say, the stranger felt, as he passed the gate, that he was entering what
seemed an oasis, so wild and dreary and desolate was the region which
stretched away for miles on every side.

Some drives and walks had been designed--what will not landscape
gardening do?--with occasional shelter and cover. The majority, however,
led over wild, bleak crests,--breezy and bracing on fine days, but
storm-lashed whenever the wind came, as it will for ten months out of
twelve, over the great rolling waters of the Atlantic.

The most striking and picturesque of these walks led along the cliffs
over the sea, and, indeed, so close as to be fenced off by a parapet
from the edge of the precipice. It was a costly labor, and never fully
carried out,--the two miles which had been accomplished figuring for a
sum that Sir Arthur declared would have bought the fee-simple of a small
estate. It was along this pathway that Captain Lyle sauntered with his
two sisters on the morning after his arrival. It was the show spot of
the whole demesne; and certainly, as regards grand effects of sea-view
and coastline, not to be surpassed in the kingdom. They had plotted
together in the morning how they would lead Mark in this direction, and,
suddenly placing him in one of the most striking spots, enjoy all his
wonderment and admiration; for Mark Lyle had seldom been at home since
his "Harrow" days, and the Abbey and its grounds were almost strange to
him.

"What are the rocks yonder, Bella?" said he, l