LAKES OF KILLARNEY, Ireland.—These are three connected lakes, near the centre of County Kerry. The largest contains thirty islands, and covers an area of fifteen square miles. The beautiful scenery along the lakes consists in the gracefulness of the mountain outlines and the rich and varied colorings of the wooded shores. Here the beholder falters, and his spirit is overawed as in a dream, while he contemplates the power and grandeur of the Creator. The lakes are visited by thousands of tourists annually. The above photograph gives a general view of them.
DUBLIN, Ireland.—Dublin, the capital and chief city of Ireland, is the centre of the political, ecclesiastical, educational, commercial, military and railroad enterprises of the kingdom. It is the residence of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and it claims a high antiquity, having been in existence since the time of Ptolemy. In the ninth century it was taken by the Danes, who held sway for over two hundred years. In 1169 it was taken back by the English, and seven years later, its history began to be identified with that of Ireland. The city is divided into two parts by the Liffey, which is spanned by nine bridges. This photograph represents Sackville street, one of its principal thoroughfares.
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY, Ireland.—The Giant's Causeway derives its name from a mythical legend, representing it to be the commencement of a road to be constructed by giants across the channel from Ireland to Scotland. It is a sort of pier or promontory of columnar basalt, projecting from the north coast of Antrim, Ireland, into the North Sea. It is divided by whin-dykes into the Little Causeway, the Middle or "Honeycomb Causeway" here represented, and the Grand Causeway. The pillars vary in diameter from 15 to 20 inches, and in height, from 10 to 20 feet. It is a most curious formation.
MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS, Glasgow, Scotland.—Glasgow is one of the best governed cities in Great Britain, and has a broad, bold and enlightened policy that conduces to the health, comfort and advancement of its citizens. This photograph represents its municipal buildings and a statue of Sir Walter Scott. The building is large and imposing, and of a mixed style of architecture. It was erected in 1860, at a cost of nearly half a million dollars, and has a tower 210 feet high. The Post Office, Bank of Scotland, Town Hall, Exchange and Revenue Buildings are close by.
LOCH LOMOND, Scotland.—Here is presented the largest and, in many respects, the most beautiful of the Scottish Lakes; it is nearly twenty-five miles long, and from one to five miles wide. Its beauty is enhanced by the numerous wooded islands, among which the steamer threads its way. Some of the islands are of considerable size, and, by their craggy and wooded features, add greatly to the scenic beauty of the lake. Loch Lomond is unquestionably the pride of Scottish Lakes. It exceeds all others in extent and variety of scenery.
FORTH BRIDGE, Scotland.—This bridge, crossing the Firth of Forth, is pronounced the largest structure in the world, and is the most striking feat yet achieved in bridge-building. It is 8296 feet long, 354 feet high, and cost $12,500,000. It was begun in 1883, and completed in 1890. It is built on the cantilever and central girder system, the principle of which is that of "stable equilibrium," its own weight helping to balance it more firmly in position. Each of the main spans is 1700 feet long, and the deepest foundations are 88 feet. The weight of the metal in the bridge is 50,000 tons.
BALMORAL CASTLE, Scotland.—The above-named castle, the summer residence of Queen Victoria, is most beautifully and romantically situated in the Highlands of Scotland. The Queen has two other residences, one on the Isle of Wight, and the other at Windsor; but the Highland home is the most pleasant and attractive. The surrounding country is rich in deer, grouse and every other kind of game. The place is always guarded by soldiers, and no one is allowed to come near the castle, unless by special permission. The cairns which crown most of the hills, are memorials of friends of Her Majesty. The property covers forty thousand acres, three-fourths of which is a deer forest.
CLAMSHELL CAVE, Island of Staffa, Scotland.—The above cave is located on the Island of Staffa, in the Atlantic Ocean, not far from the mainland. It is one of those remarkable islands whose wonders have been known to the world for but little over a hundred years. The name of the island signifies columns or staves. At one time the coast was visited by violent volcanic actions, the effects of which may still be traced. Staffa is a little over a third of a mile in circumference, and presents a most interesting field of study for geologists.
EDINBURGH, Scotland.—Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and one of the most romantically beautiful cities in Europe, is finely situated near the Firth of Forth. It is the seat of the administrative and judicial authorities of Scotland, and is renowned for its excellent university and schools. Its authentic history begins in 617, when King Edwin established a fortress on the Castle Rock. It consists of the picturesque Old Town, familiar to all readers of Walter Scott, and of the New Town, started in 1768. This photograph represents Princess Street, the principal thoroughfare of the New Town, Scott's Monument, and Castle Rock, the ancient seat of Scottish Kings.
LIVERPOOL, England.—Liverpool, the second city and principal seaport of England, is situated on the right bank of the Mersey, three miles from the sea, and one hundred and eighty-five miles from London. The town was founded by King John in 1207, and its growth for several centuries was very slow. In 1840 regular steamboat communications were opened between it and New York, which, no doubt, established the modern pre-eminence of Liverpool. The importation of raw cotton from the United States forms the great staple of its commerce. The docks which flank the Mersey for a distance of seven miles, and give employment to thousands of workmen, are its most characteristic and interesting sights.