is about sixteen miles long from north to south, by about five miles broad. It is a safe and a deep harbour, but of little value, owing to the difficulty of entering it, and the narrowness of the strait which joins it to the sea. Crossing this, you land at PORTAFERRY, the pretty little town observed from Strangford. It is cheerfully situated, and flanked by the well-wooded demesne of the Nugents, which adds very much to the beauty of the landscape. Of this town, little need be observed, the only object of interest being the old castle of the Savages, the former owners of the town and estate of Portaferry. You are now in THE ARDS. This interesting district was formerly called "The heights of Ulster near the eastern sea," ""Altitudo Ultorum juxta mare orientale." Writers have not inaptly compared it to a bended arm (Down Survey). Although it bears a name indicating height, the average level does not exceed 90 to 100 feet. The soil is generally fertile, and the whole district thickly inhabited. The following, from the old Down Survey, will be read with interest: “The Savages and other English families settled here under De Courcy, the conqueror of Ulidia, in the twelfth century, who maintained themselves in a flourishing condition for a considerable time; but in the confusion which followed the murder of Lord Burgh, Earl of Ulster, in the reign of Edward III., the sept of Hugh Boye O'Neil, of the County Tyrone, drove the Savages out of the greater part of it, and confined them to a small portion on the south of the peninsula called the Little Ards, near the entrance of the Lough. From that time the Ards began to be called Upper Clan Hugh Boy, or Clanebois, from the sept of this Hugh. "In the eleventh year of the reign of Elizabeth, in consequence of the rebellion of Shane O'Neil, an Act was passed investing the Queen with all the lands of Claneboy, and the Great Ards, which were granted the same year to Sir Thomas Smith, the father, and Thomas his son, upon condition that they should expel the rebels out of these lands, and plant them with faithful subjects." The remains of many castles still in existence in this district show the warlike nature of the relations between the new settlers and the ancient inhabitants. In proceeding towards Belfast the road leads along the eastern shores of the Lough. No object of remarkable interest is observed until you reach Rosemount, the seat of the Montgomeries of the Ards, and Grey Abbey. THE MONTGOMERIES. This ancient family settled in this country in the year 1600. Sir Hugh Montgomery, Lord of Braidstone, a follower of James, coveted some of the forfeited estates, which he at length acquired, and, singular The enough, with the entire "consent of the owner.” following story explains the matter. "Con M'Neil Mac Brian Mac Fertagh O'Neil, Lord of Clanebois, making a grand debauch at Castlereagh for his brothers and friends, sent some of his followers and servants for wine to Belfast. Getting intoxicated, and quarrelling with the garrison, the wine was taken from them by the soldiers; they returned to their master empty and bleeding. Con made a strict inquiry into the matter, and finding that the number of his followers exceeded twice that of the soldiers, he reproached them bitterly, and threatened that they should never serve him again unless they went back forthwith and avenged the affront on those boddagh Sassenagh soldiers. Stung with the reproof, they went back instantly, succeeded in killing one soldier, but were finally repulsed, with the loss of several killed and wounded. Con was now declared a rebel in having made war upon the Queen; he and his followers were seized and imprisoned in Carrigfergus. Lord Hugh heard of the whole transaction, and contrived his escape in the following manner:-He engaged Thomas Montgomery, of Blackburn, master of a trading vessel, to undertake it, which he did in the following manner. Having made love to Anna Dobbin, the Town Marshall's daughter, he contrived through her to acquaint Con with the design, and had him conveyed on board his ship, landed safely at Largs in Scotland; from thence he was conducted to Braidstone, and there entered into indentures with Montgomery to divide his estate with him if he could procure his pardon. The matter was soon arranged, Con was graciously received at court, and kissed the King's hand." Montgomery was thus confirmed in his portion of the estate, in which family it is still retained. Adjoining the demesne of Rosemount is the fine old ruin of GREY ABBEY, Founded in 1193, by Africa, the wife of Sir John De Courcy, and daughter of Godfred, king of the Isle of Man. It covers a large space of ground, and must have been a large and sumptuous building. The original abbey was destroyed by the O'Neils, but re-edified by the Montgomeries, as thus quaintly set forth in the Montgomery Manuscripts. "Neare and in view of Rosemount House, are the ruins of a large abbey of curious work (ruinated in Tirowen's rebellion). It is called in inquisitions and patents, Abathiu de Fugam Dei; in Irish, Monastrelia; in English, Grey (or Hoare) Abbey, from the order of fryars who inhabited it. The church thereof was in part roofed and slated by the first Lord Montgomery, and in 1685 it was new roofed again by the heirs of William Montgomery, and by contributions of other gentlemen concerned therein." This is one of the most favourite places of resort to the inhabitants of Belfast, and from the facilities afforded by the railway to Newtownards, the number of visitors is much increased. A beautiful little temple has been erected on the grounds for their accommoda |