Loughbrickland consists of one broad street. It takes its name from a lake standing near it, called Loughbrickland, or the lake of speckled trouts, with which it formerly abounded, till the spawn of pikes finding a passage into the lake, multiplied so exceedingly, that they have almost de stroyed the whole breed.

That body of English forces which were quartered in this part of the north, in the year 1690, had their first rendezvous here under King William, who encamped within a mile of th the

town.

Nearly at the same distance from it I turned off the great road to go to Tanderagee. I passed a number of gentlemen's seats. I was struck with their uncommon neatness. I asked a countryman if he could tell me the reason. He knew no reason, he said, except that the owners were not born gentlemen.

Much of the landed property of this part of the country has passed from the extravagant children of idleness, to the sons of the thrifty merchants of Newry and Belfast. I find, in general, they are good landlords.

I passed likewise through several villages, and a sweet little town called Acton. It was built by a Mr. Stewart, who calculated on making it a great market, which would benefit the neighbourhood, and enrich himself. Projectors in general are

bád logicians, and Robinson Crusoe's boat is a kind of foolscap that will fit most of them. The neighbourhood was not benefited, but he was ruined.

I came in sight of Tanderagee about two o'clock. As it is situated on a hill, I saw it at a considerable distance. The planting of the late General Sparrow's extensive demesne, which seemed to overshadow it, gave it a gay and picturesque appearance. Nor was the spectacle of the interior less riant. Only that the bright green of nature was displaced by the deep orange of party. Tanderagee was a perfect orange.grove. The doors and windows were decorated with garlands of the orange lily. The bosoms and heads of the women, and hats and breasts of the men, were equally adorned with this venerated flower. There were likewise a number of orange banners and colours, more remarkable for loyalty than taste or variety, for King William on horseback, as grim as a Saracen on a sign post, was painted or wrought on all of them.

There was much of fancy, however, in the decoration of a lofty arch, which was thrown across the entire street. The orange was gracefully blended with oak leaves, laurels, and roses, Bits of gilded paper, suited to the solemnity, were interwoven with the flowers. I passed, as well as I could, through the crowd assembled under this

glittering rainbow, and proceeded to the house of an acquaintance at the upper end of the street. I had purposed spending a day with him, but he was from home. I, therefore, sat half an hour with his lady, and after having taken some refreshment, descended the hill. The people

were now dancing. The music was not indifferent. The tune, however, would better have suited a minuet than a country dance. It was the (once in England) popular tune of Lillybullero, better known, in this country, by the affectionate and cheering name, of the Protestant boys.

I stopped an instant, a man came up and presented me a nosegay of orange lilies and roses, bound together I held it in my hand, but did not put it in my hat, as he expected.

"I am no party man," I said, "nor do I ever wear party colours."

"Well, God bless you, Sir," he replied, " whether you do or not."

Nor did the crowd, who heard both the speech and reply, appear to take the slightest offence. This was the more wonderful as I stood before them rather under inauspicious circumstances. It seems, though I was then ignorant of it, the gentleman out of whose house they had seen me come, was highly obnoxious to them. He is minister of the Presbyterian congregation-a few months ago, with more liberality than prudence,

considering what an untractable flock he is the shepherd of, he signed his name to the Protestant petition, in favour of the Catholics. The following Sunday he found his meeting-house closed against him, nor is it yet opened, and probably never will be.

The county of Armagh Presbyterians are the very Spadassins of Protestanism. Their unhappy disputes a few years ago with the Catholics are well known. It is, therefore unnecessary, (and I rejoice at it,) for me to touch on them here.

On quitting Tanderagee, I walked a little way on the road which I came. Ithen seated myself on the top of a little hill, to meditate on my future route. The world was all before me where to choose and a most delightful world I had to choose from. Armagh is as much beautified by the industry, as it has been disfigured by the passions of men.

I was not long in coming to a decision, for I recollected the letter the worthy clergyman had given me. I, therefore, turned off on the-road, at a little way on which the gentleman to whom it was addressed resided.

He was a very different person, and of a different persuasion from what I had expected to find him. His conversation I shall not repeat, though I could wish that some of those Englishmen who cherish such unwarrantable prejudices against Ireland, had heard him, that they might

have contemplated, as in a mirror, how absurd national prejudice generally is. I made little reply for I knew I could not convince him. National prejudice, like the giant Antæus, can only be strangled by being removed from its parent earth.

CHAPTER VI.

Banbridge.

I DID not quit my quarters to day till two o'clock. I had proposed going immediately after breakfast, but the rain came on at that instant. I believe I consulted the sky and the weather glass ten times an hour-In truth, I was impatient to get rid of my host, who, perhaps, was as impatient to get rid of me. The day at length became fine, the sun shone bright, and the road soon got clear. I walked, therefore, lightly forwards-At every furlong's length, however, I met with a cross-road; luckily the people were as plenty as the roads; nor did I meet with a single cross-answer from one of them. I was overtaken by a young Scotchman on horseback. He had travelled a hundred miles in Scotland, and upwards of an hundred in Ireland, to purchase