Great Cities of Europe (Volume 1) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1913 Excerpt: ... THE CITY OF DUBLIN DUBLIN is beautifully situated on the banks of the Liffey that flows into the Bay of Dublin, which has been compared in picturesque charm to the Bay of Naples. This sheet of water is six miles broad, with a sweep of sixteen miles, and is surrounded by hills that tower about five hundred feet on the north and south. On the north arm of the Bay rises the hill of Howth, with its castle and the Bailey Lighthouse, a landmark for many miles out at sea, standing on a perpendicular rock, 134 feet above the water. Below the waves break upon the outlying rocks of the " Lion's Head" and the "Needles," or "Candlesticks." On the south of the Bay lies the artificial harbor of Kingstown, the principal station for the yacht clubs in Ireland, where the yearly regattas are held. All the way between Kingstown and Dublin, the country is beautifully cultivated, and displays a constant succession of terraces, villas, wooded parks and country-houses, with the Dublin mountains for a background. "Dublin's attraction must be due partly to its wholesome sea air and its delightful surroundings; for it is planted on one of the most admirable bays and among rising fields behind which olive hills undulate. These first catch your eye when you enter the bay; they begin with the long headland of Howth, thence wind inland and come back to the sea at Killiney, and thence wander close to it. No town was ever more fortunately placed, or more constantly dogged by misfortune. You feel this at once: for from the first you are aware of Celtic resignation to sorrow. Dublin was first called (it is said) Ballyath-Cliath, the Castle at the Ford of the Hurdles, and then Dubh-linn, the Black Stream, from its dark river; and it preserved this Celtic title throughout the long control of ...