To the field of battle on the Boyne. The view of the scene from a rising
ground which looks down upon it is exceedingly beautiful, being one of
the completest landscapes I have seen. It is a vale, losing itself in
front between bold declivities, above which are some thick woods and
distant country. Through the vale the river winds and forms an island,
the point of which is tufted with trees in the prettiest manner
imaginable; on the other side a rich scenery of wood, among which is Dr.
Norris's house. To the right, on a rising ground on the banks of the
river, is the obelisk, backed by a very bold declivity. Pursued the road
till near it, quitted my chaise, and walked to the foot of it. It is
founded on a rock which rises boldly from the river. It is a noble
pillar, and admirably placed. I seated myself on the opposite rock, and
indulged the emotions which, with a melancholy not unpleasing, filled my
bosom, while I reflected on the consequences that had sprung from the
victory here obtained. Liberty was then triumphant. May the virtues of
our posterity secure that prize which the bravery of their ancestors won!
Peace to the memory of the Prince to whom, whatever might be his
failings, we owed that day memorable in the annals of Europe!
Returned part of the way, and took the road to Cullen, where the Lord
Chief Baron Forster received me in the most obliging manner, and gave me
a variety of information uncommonly valuable. He has made the greatest
improvements I have anywhere met with. The whole country twenty-two
years ago was a waste sheep-walk, covered chiefly with heath, with some
dwarf furze and fern. The cabins and people as miserable as can be
conceived; not a Protestant in the country, nor a road passable for a
carriage. In a word, perfectly resembling other mountainous tracts, and
the whole yielding a rent of not more than from three shillings to four
shillings an acre. Mr. Forster could not bear so barren a property, and
determined to attempt the improvement of an estate of five thousand acres
till then deemed irreclaimable. He encouraged the tenants by every
species of persuasion and expense, but they had so ill an opinion of the
land that he was forced to begin with two or three thousand acres in his
own hands; he did not, however, turn out the people, but kept them in to
see the effects of his operations.
To Dundalk. The view down on this town also very beautiful: swelling
hills of a fine verdure, with many rich inclosures backed by a bold
outline of mountain that is remarkable. Laid at the Clanbrassil Arms,
and found it a very good inn. The place, like most of the Irish towns I
have been in, full of new buildings, with every mark of increasing wealth
and prosperity. A cambric manufacture was established here by
Parliament, but failed; it was, however, the origin of that more to the
north.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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