The Boyne is a beautiful stream, richly wooded, with many villas adorning its banks. This part of Ireland is “soggy,” as Mike expressed it, with historic memories. The next day we hoped to fly over Tara, the ancient Capital of the Green Isle, and with pleasant anticipation, we retired for the night.
CHAPTER XIV
WITH FRIENDS IN DUBLIN
Early next morning we ascended from Drogheda, and followed the valley of the Boyne for several miles. Then turning south, we flew over County Meath, on a straight way to Tara, the ancient Capital of Ireland.
County Meath is one of the most fertile spots in Europe. Its rich greenness is proverbial. Large pasturages, though not profitable to the peasants, add to the beauty of the landscape.
“I say, Jack,” said Mike, after we had been gazing in silence at the fields as they glided under us, “I am falling in love with Ireland.”
“Mike,” I said solemnly, “you mean that you are falling in love with the Irish. I think it is because we are getting near Dublin you are feeling that way.”
“We’ll get to Dublin bright and early at this rate,” said Mike evasively. I fancied I could see Mike become more and more lively as we approached the neighborhood of Dublin.
As we saw Tara with its little cluster of Irish cottages, I felt a sense of disappointment, but when we circled over the famous hill, I let my imagination supply what was wanting. I re-peopled the green mounds with Druid priests and Irish Kings. I imagined coronation scenes, and vast armies filling the plains. These used to be realities in Tara, but all is changed now. An air of loneliness pervades the very atmosphere. Even the “Stone of Destiny,” fabled as Jacob’s Pillow at Bethel, is gone. It was carried to Scotland centuries ago, and later taken to London, where it can be seen as the seat of the coronation chair in Westminster Abbey. We saw the Statue of St. Patrick, at which many a rude joke is made. From our aerial viewpoint we could not see it distinctly, but it is said to be a fair work of art for a stone cutter to accomplish. St. Patrick often preached at Tara, and a shaft here in his honor would be most appropriate.