Dublin

the metropolis and capital city of Ireland. It is situated on the eastern coast at the mouth of the Liffey River. With reference to the Irish Sea it is directly opposite Liverpool, from which it is 138 miles distant. The Liffey, spanned by numerous fine bridges, flows through the center of the city from west to east. Below the last of nine bridges the river is crowded with ships. The central, official, and commercial part of the city is essentially English. The Bank, Trinity College, various government buildings, the names of the public squares, streets, and bridges, and a lofty monument to Lord Nelson, the hero of Trafalgar, all bear witness to British rule. This part of the city is adorned with fine edifices, green, well-kept squares, and numerous statues of public men, as Burke, Goldsmith, O'Connell, Moore, Grattan, and William III. The custom house is a handsome building, a city block in size. It has lofty porches and doors. It is adorned with statues of Plenty, Industry, Mercury, and Neptune. The Four Courts, or Hall of Justice is the most striking structure in Ireland. Phoenix Park, containing the residence of the lord lieutenant, is considered one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. The visitor who expects to see an Irish city is somewhat surprised to find the best part of Dublin occupied by memorials erected by a governing foreign element to please, not the people, but themselves; while the native laboring population, speaking in a general way, occupies a vast encircling section of humble, not to say, squalid homes and muddy streets. Of late the Catholic or native element has had a better chance. The Roman Catholic University, supported by voluntary contributions, is prospering. No less than fourteen imposing church edifices have been erected by the Catholics to take the place of poverty-stricken buildings. At one time famous for weaves of woolen goods and fine linen, Dublin has declined in importance as a manufacturing city. It is still noted for Irish poplins, and is a brewing and distilling center. The shipping is confined chiefly to exports of agricultural products, and imports of groceries and hardware. The supplies required by the city itself are a large item. The present population is about 291,000. See Ireland