Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Pococke's Tour in Ireland in 1752 (Author: Richard Pococke)

entry 76

And on the 9th I set out, crossed over the hill five miles to Brinewbridge and passed Captain Johnson's seat to Newry bridge near Mount Usher a little to the west of which is Mr. Tigh's, a fine finished box and plantations. I came on in the Dublin road and went out of it to the west five miles to Altadora to Major Browning's, passing by a village called Newtown Mount Kennedy and near it Mount N[gap: extent: one or two words]y which is very beautiful in its plantations chiefly of Firrs, and beyond it is Teny Park, formerly so famous for the beauty of its situation. I passed by Hermitage a pretty

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box of Mr. Butler's Captain of the Battle axes and brother to Lord Lanesborough, it is in a beautiful Glyn or narrow vale, at the head of which a fine cascade tumbles down the hills beautifully adorned with wood; Altadora is on the heighth over it and commands a most delightful view of the rich country below and of the sea, it is well shelter'd by the eminence above it every way at about the distance of three miles except to the east and south east and north east; It was the retirement of the late General Pearce, who affected to build it as a thatched cabin, and erected a tower to make it look like a village with a church to it: Major Browning having purchased it, has improved it with great taste; in the middle is a building consisting of a Hall and beautiful parlor and over them excellent bed-chambers for strangers, with a fine staircase; on each side a wing is built to it,—in one are the apartments for the family,—in the other the kitchen and rooms for servants; two yards to the south with all offices, and to the north and west the garden rises with three or four terraces one over the other, and to the north west are meadows and fields all well planted:58 In a retired part which commands a view of the fine country below and of the sea there are cut on a piece of white marble these lines over which may be placed the Bust of the Laughing Philosopher.

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    1. O Sacred Solitude! Divine retreat!
      Choice of the Prudent! Envy of the Great
      Here from the wayes of men, laid safe ashore,
      We smile to hear the distant billows roar;
      Here blest with health, with business unperplext
      This Life we relish and insure the next.