Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Journey to the North, August 7th, 1708 (Author: Samuel Molyneux)
entry 4
Tuesday
We went to my estate at Castle Dillon, and so to Legacorry, which is a very pretty Village belonging to Mr. Richardson. From hence Mr. Chichester, a Relation of my Lord Donnegall's, invited us to dine with him at the house where he lives, belonging to one Mr. Workman, within half a mile of Portadown, [space left blank] miles from Ardmagh. Mr. Workman shewed us here vast plantations of Fir Trees of all different ages from the seed. They thrive here mighty well, and this Gentleman makes a considerable Gain in this way. After Dinner we proceeded on our journey towards Belfast, where Mr. Chichester promised to accompany us. We passed thro' Portadown, a pretty village situated on the River [space for a word left blank] , and where
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so many protestants were drowned in 41 Rebellion by the Irish. Here our hoses passed over in a wherry, the Bridge which they were then a-Building, very Large and handsome, being not yet finished. From hence we went on thro' a mightly pretty English-like enclosed countrey, and well planted with Large Trees, to Mr. Brownlow's Town, Lurgan, [space left blank] miles from Ardmagh, situated within half a mile of the South Banks of Lough Neagh. This Town is at present the greatest mart of Linnen Manufactories in the North, being almost entirely peopled with Linnen Weavers, And all by the care and cost of Mr. Brownlow, who on his first Establishing the trade here, bought up everything that was brought to the market of Cloath and lost at first considerably; but at Length the thing fixing itself, he is now by the same methods a considerable Gainer. This Gentleman is more curious than ordinary, and has by him several old Irish Manuscripts which he can Read and understand very well. He shewed me one in Parchment of the Bible (as I remember), pretended to be written by St. Patrick's own hand, but this must be a Fable. This Gentleman is not satisfied about the Petrifying Quality of Lough Neagh waters, and seems rather to esteem the Stones found on its Banks to be lapides sui Generis than Petrifactions. Having Supped with him we lay at an Inn.