,
so that it flows at present in a winding course through the grounds.

October 13. Leaving Dundrum, passed through Cashel, where is a rock and
ruin on it, called the Rock of Cashel, supposed to be of the remotest
antiquity. Towards Clonmel, the whole way through the same rich vein of
red sandy loam I have so often mentioned: I examined it in several
fields, and found it to be of an extraordinary fertility, and as fine
turnip land as ever I saw. It is much under sheep; but towards Clonmel
there is a great deal of tillage.

The first view of that town, backed by a high ridge of mountains, with a
beautiful space near it of inclosures, fringed with a scattering of
trees, was very pleasing. It is the best situated place in the county of
Tipperary, on the Suir, which brings up boats of ten tons burthen. It
appears to be a busy populous place, yet I was told that the manufacture
of woollens is not considerable. It is noted for being the birthplace of
the inimitable Sterne.

To Sir William Osborne's, three miles the other side Clonmel. From a
character so remarkable for intelligence and precision, I could not fail
of meeting information of the most valuable kind. This gentleman has
made a mountain improvement which demands particular attention, being
upon a principle very different from common ones.

Twelve years ago he met with a hearty-looking fellow of forty, followed
by a wife and six children in rags, who begged. Sir William questioned
him upon the scandal of a man in full health and vigour, supporting
himself in such a manner: the man said he could get no work: "Come along
with me, I will show you a spot of land upon which I will build a cabin
for you, and if you like it you shall fix there." The fellow followed
Sir William, who was as good as his word: he built him a cabin, gave him
five acres of a heathy mountain, lent him four pounds to stock with, and
gave him, when he had prepared his ground, as much lime as he would come
for. The fellow flourished; he went on gradually; repaid the four
pounds, and presently became a happy little cottar: he has at present
twelve acres under cultivation, and a stock in trade worth at least 80
pounds; his name is John Conory.

The success which attended this man in two or three years brought others
who applied for land, and Sir William gave them as they applied. The
mountain was under lease to a tenant, who valued it so little, that upon
being reproached with not cult