Corpus of Electronic Texts Edition
Rev. Daniel A. Beaufort's Tour of Kerry, 1788 (Author: Daniel A. Beaufort)
Entry 6
[August] 18
This morning we assembled at 7 1/2 [o'clock] for our grand boating party but the day being extremely wet we sat down to Vingt un39 after breakfast. At Eleven it began to clear up, the boatman urged us to go, & we all drove down to Ross Castle. We were all very conveniently in the Barge of 8 Oars with a part of the band which Col. Jacques of the 51 [st Regiment] {Ms 4030 page 9} lent us, & in
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another boat were our Servants & provisions. We reached the Eagle's nest, & were put on shore opposite to it, while our band went into a recess behind it. We heard their musick reverberated from the rock & quite softened, but loud enough & very true. From the rock above our heads some small cannon were fired, precisely opposite the Eagle's nest which repeated the report enlarging it to that of a rowling peal of Thunder. Poor Mrs Pennyfeather40 was obliged to stop her ears so afraid she is of a Gun {Ms 4030 page 10}. A very heavy shower assailed us, & determined us to return to Dinas. On our way we saw a pair of Eagles soaring above us & at the Eagle's nest the royal bird itself upon it which our repeated shouts put to flight.41 It was half after Six when we arrived at Dinas. We dined heartily & merrily on our cold repast & when the musick, the boatmen & servants were all replete set off for Ross Castle, by the brightest Moonlight. The water was smooth, the night calm & our
passage delightfully harmonious in every sense. William in landing his aunt out of the boat fell on his head in the water. Our boatmen plied their oars so lustily that we reached shore by 9 & got {Ms 4030 page 11} drest quick & went to the Assembly which was much larger than the last. Mrs Pennyfeather being extremely well dressed made an elegant appearance and we afterwards supped together. Did not get to bed till two.