The barracks were erected under his Grace's directions, and form a large
and handsome edifice. The school is a building of considerable extent,
and admirably adapted for the purpose: a more convenient or a better
contrived one is nowhere to be seen. There are apartments for a master,
a school-room fifty-six feet by twenty-eight, a large dining-room, and
spacious, airy dormitories, with every other necessary, and a spacious
playground walled in; the whole forming a handsome front: and attention
being paid to the residence of the master (the salary is four hundred
pounds a year), the school flourishes, and must prove one of the greatest
advantages to the country of anything that could have been established.
This edifice entirely at the Primate's expense. The church is erected of
white stone, and having a tall spire makes a very agreeable object in a
country where churches and spires do not abound--at least, such as are
worth looking at. Three other churches the Primate has also built, and
done considerable reparations to the cathedral.
He has been the means also of erecting a public infirmary, which was
built by subscription, contributing amply to it himself.
A public library he has erected at his own expense, given a large
collection of books, and endowed it. The room is excellently adapted,
forty-five feet by twenty-five, and twenty high, with a gallery, and
apartments for a librarian.
He has further ornamented the city with a market-house and shambles, and
been the direct means, by giving leases upon that condition, of almost
new-building the whole place. He found it a nest of mud cabins, and he
will leave it a well-built city of stone and slate. I heard it asserted
in common conversation that his Grace, in these noble undertakings, had
not expended less than thirty thousand pounds, besides what he had been
the means of doing, though not directly at his own expense.
In the evening reached Mr. Brownlow's at Lurgan, to whom I am indebted
for some valuable information. This gentleman has made very great
improvements in his domain. He has a lake at the bottom of a slight
vale, and around are three walks, at a distance from each other; the
centre one is the principal, and extends two miles. It is well conducted
for leading to the most agreeable parts of the grounds, and for
commanding views of Loch Neagh, and the distant country. There are
several buildings, a temple, green-house, etc. The most beautiful scene
is from a bench on a gently swelling hill, which rises almost on every
side from the water. The wood, the water, and the green slopes, here
unite to form a very pleasing landscape. Let me observe one thing much
to his honour; he advances his tenants money for all the lime they
choose, and takes payment in eight years with rent.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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