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| RAILROAD BRIDGE, CITY OF GALWAY IRELAND.-The sketch shows the splendid bridge of the Midland and Great Western railway where it crosses the Corrib river near the ancient and renowned city of Galway. On the right of the picture may be caught a glimpse of a venerable suburb-a round tower standing up from the ruins of an old abbey, where the "monks are now at rest" forever. Fisherman and members of their families are scattered along the river bank, and fishing smacks are moored, or sailing, in the rapid stream. On the left are some small sail and row boats, rocking idly on the billows. The bare-footed colleen-she wears a red petticoat, if you could only see the color in the sketch-walking along the beach toward us, is a type of her class; of good stature, lithe and graceful, and, ten to one, with flashing blue eyes, black hair and Spanish contour, if you were only near enough to observe those perfections. Owing to Galway's ancient trade with Spain-a trade that was maintained for centuries in spite of many pains and penalties-many of the inhabitants, who forefathers, or mothers, intermarried with "the dark-eyed Iberians"-have decidedly Spanish characteristics of form and feature. The Midland and Great Western is Ireland's greatest railroad, and is constructed on first-class ideals. It is the main artery of trade beween Dublin and the West coast. |
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