nceived; 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.

July 22. Left Dundalk, took the road through Ravensdale to Mr.
Fortescue, to whom I had a letter, but unfortunately he was in the South
of Ireland. Here I saw many good stone and slate houses, and some bleach
greens; and I was much pleased to see the inclosures creeping high up the
sides of the mountains, stony as they are. Mr. Fortescue's situation is
very romantic--on the side of a mountain, with fine wood hanging on every
side, with the lawn beautifully scattered with trees spreading into them,
and a pretty river winding through the vale, beautiful in itself, but
trebly so on information that before he fixed there it was all a wild
waste. Rents in Ravensdale ten shillings; mountain land two shillings
and sixpence to five shillings. Also large tracts rented by villages,
the cottars dividing it among themselves, and making the mountain common
for their cattle.

Breakfasted at Newry--the Globe, another good inn. This town appears
exceedingly flourishing, and is very well built; yet forty years ago, I
was told, there were nothing but mud cabins in it. This great rise has
been much owing to the canal to Loch Neagh. I crossed it twice; it is
indeed a noble work. I was amazed to see ships of one hundred and fifty
tons and more lying in it, like barges in