great depression formerly noticed; to the east, beyond the undulating hills of Down, Lough Strangford is seen, studded with innumerable islands. Nearer, and stretching some miles to the northward, Belfast Lough, with its shipping and richly improved shores, occupies the great valley between the counties of Down and Antrim. The town itself, with its groves of chimneys, steeples, and public buildings, occupies the foreground of this noble prospect. Many pleasant thoughts arise in viewing this scene, beautiful in itself, but doubly so from the contrast with the tame and dreary tract just passed. Rapidly descending, the traveller finds himself once more in one of the comfortable and well-appointed hotels of this beau- . tiful city. CHAPTER V. Lisburn-Paul Jones-Castle Gardens-Hillsborough-The Marquess of Downshire-Dromore-Banbridge-Guildford-MoyallenPortadown-The Bann-The Pearls of the Bann-Improvements of the Lower Bann. ARRIVED at Lisburn by rail from Belfast, the tourist may proceed direct by Moira and Portadown to Armagh; but we recommend a detour by Hillsborough, Banbridge, &c. The ancient name of the town of Lisburn was Lisnagarvey, probably signifying the fort or fortress of a native chieftain of the name of Garvey or Garvin. It was a place of much consequence in the olden time, as here was the bridge over the Lagan leading southwards. It was burned down in 1641 by the Irish, since which time it has been called by its present name Lisburn-the River Fort, or fort commanding the river. This district was granted to the Viscount Conway by Charles I., by whom the Castle of Kiltullagh was built, which became the head of the manor. He induced several English and Scotch settlers to establish themselves here, and the town soon rose into notice, and is now considered the third in the county of Antrim, having 972 houses, and a population of 6097. The chief objects of interest are, the Market-House, standing in the centre of a triangular area, having a handsome tower, surmounted by an ornamental cupola; and the Church, with a lofty octagonal spire. It contains the monument of the great and good Dr. Jeremy Taylor, who died in the year 1667, and also that of Lieut. Dobbs, who fell in action with the notorious Paul Jones, on the 24th of April, 1778, outside of Carrickfergus Bay. PAUL JONES. There is a romantic story told of this adventurous buccaneer, of a circumstance that occurred the day before the action above alluded to. The vessel which he commanded was called by the characteristic name of the Ranger, and having been cruising for some days about the channel, he at length landed a party on the coast of Kirkcudbright, in Scotland, with the intention of seizing Lord Selkirk. Fortunately his Lordship was from home; but Jones's men were so ungallant as to make a visit to the Castle, unknown to their commander, and forced Lady Selkirk to deliver the whole of her plate into their hands. They were on their way to Brest with this and other booty when they were met by the Drake sloop of war. In the engagement the captain of the Drake was killed at the commencement of the action, and Lieutenant Dobbs mortally wounded, after which she struck her colours to the Ranger, which continued her voyage, and sold her prize and booty in the town of Brest. Paul Jones was the purchaser of the plate taken from Lady Selkirk, to whom it was conveyed with scrupulous exactness; he even went so far as to pay the carriage of it to Scotland. THE CASTLE GARDENS Are kept in the most exact order at the expense of the noble proprietor, Lord Hertford, under the liberal management of the deservedly popular and kind-hearted agent, the Rev. Dr. Stannus, Dean of Ross. These gardens are liberally thrown open to the inhabitants of the town, and form a most healthful and agreeable promenade. The damask manufactory of the Messrs. Coulstons merits a visit. This truly benevolent family have long been the promoters of the best interests of their locality. With a noble disinterestedness, they refused to adopt the modern improvements in the power-loom manufacture of damasks, and continue to use not only the handloom, but even the handspun yarn, with a view to extend employment to the cottagers without compelling them to send their sons and daughters to the contaminating influence of the congregated hundreds who attend at the power-mills, where, notwithstanding the increased attention and oversight of the proprietors, morality is too frequently endangered by indiscriminate contact during the susceptible years of opening youth. The damask table-linens of the Coulston factory are in high repute, and are esteemed as not inferior in workmanship or design to the best German damasks. This town returns a member to Parliament, and confers the title of Earl and Viscount upon the family of Vaughan. Two very interesting routes are now open to the vi |