The vicinity of the sea prevents the continuance of frosts | land is fenced and laid down in this county strikes an obon the east and south; and the insulated position of the server travelling from Dublin to Belfast very forcibly. The mountainous tract confines the heavier mists and rains to system of green crops and stall feeding is now being purthat part of the county where their effects are least felt. sued by most of the gentlemen-farmers; but has not yet The general inequality of the ground carries off surface become general among the ordinary landowners. Fences waters and prevents damps, so that the climate, although on the Antrim boundary and along the line of the Dublin somewhat cold, is considered very wholesome. The pre-road are of quickthorn; clay banks and dry stone walls are vailing winds in spring are from the east: westerly winds, most common in the other parts of the county. although more frequent than from any other point, have not so great a prevalence as in the neighbouring counties. Larch timber thrives on very exposed situations on the Mourne mountains. Large quantities of sea-weed are used as manure along the north-east and eastern coast. The distance of limestone quarries renders lime manure very expensive throughout the central baronies; but in the south and south-east there is an abundant supply of marl in the barony of Lecale. This valuable substance is found in morasses and alluvial exuvia: the bed of marl is sometimes five feet in thickness. It was first brought into use in 1707, before which time the neighbouring country was only moderately fertile in oats and barley: but with a judicious use of this manure it now yields excellent crops of wheat. The immediate advance on the value of land which followed its introduction was four-fold, and a corn trade was opened from Strangford in consequence. The eagerness, however, with which this manure was applied led to the bad consequences which always attend strong manuring and over cropping; and it is said that so late as 1804 some of these lands had not yet recovered. The annual agricultural produce of Down has been valued at 1,396,0007.; the rental of proprietors at 172,3297. per annum, and the rent to occupiers of land, at 228. per acre. The chief geological features are strongly marked. The Mourne and Slieve Croob groups consist of granite. The boundary of this primitive district begins from the east attracts at the bottoms of hills, and consists entirely of marine Dundrum, whence passing northward to Slieve Croob, it runs nearly due west, including the lordship of Newry, and passes into the adjoining counties of Armagh and Louth. This mass of granite reappears in Cavan, and probably is the same which rises on the opposite side of the island in the mountains of Sligo. Northward and eastward of the granite district the whole of the remainder of the county is occupied by an extension of the transition series which forms the southern basin of Loch Neagh. Clay slate in greater or less degrees of induration is the prevalent rock. Towards the sea on the north-east and east slate quarries are common. On the Antrim boundary near Moira an extension of the tertiary limestone formation which occurs throughout the basaltic district occupies a small portion of this county, and affords a most valuable supply of lime manure to the north-western baronies. Limestone boulders are found along the eastern shore of the Bay of Belfast; and at Carthespil, near Comber, on the western side of Strangford loch, there is a quarry of reddish granular limestone. Great quantities of marl are raised in the neighbourhood of Downpatrick. The junction of the greywacke and granite may be observed along the eastern branch of the river Lagan, where it rises on Slieve Croob. Copper ore has been found in the mountains about five miles north-east of Rosstrevor; also near Portaferry, and at Clonligg, between Newtownards and Bangor. At the latter place is a lead-mine which has been worked with moderate success at various times. Lead ore occurs on the estate of Ballyleady, in the same neighbourhood, and on that of Bryansford, near Newcastle; also at Killough, and near Portaferry. A lead-mine has likewise been worked in the Blundel estate, half a mile from Dundrum. Indications of coal have been observed in the north-east of the county, and ochreous earths have been found in various places; but hitherto without leading to any practical result. Chalybeate spas occur at Newry, Dromore, Magheralin, near Donaghadee and Rathfriland, and at various places in the barony of Ards. A chalybeate strongly impregnated with sulphur and nitre rises about two miles north-west of Ballynahinch, on the declivity of Slieve Croob mountain, which has been found very efficacious in scorbutic cases: the village of Ballynahinch has become a rather fashionable resort during the summer months in consequence. The prevalent soil in the low district is a stony loam formed by the decomposition of the schistose rock. Clayey soils are confined to the north-east of the county and the barony of Ards, and are of a strong and productive quality, but they are wet and require a large quantity of manure. The richest soil in the county is in the district of Lecale, and a small tract of loam incumbent on limestone gravel in the neighbourhood of Moira and Magheralin: the timber here is of larger growth than elsewhere in Down. Alluvial tracts are frequent, and yield luxuriant crops of grass without manure. The bogs in general are not larger than is advantageous for purposes of turbary. Moory land is confined to the mountain district: the soil is here light and gravelly; but with proper cultivation, as in the vicinity of Newry and of Castlewellan, can be made to yield good crops of oats and barley. Considerable quantities of wheat are raised throughout the county, but chiefly along both shores of Strangford Loch; oats and barley are the chief produce of the south and centre of the county. Numerous resident nobility and gentry set an example of the best modes of cultivation; and several farming societies encourage competition among the landowners by annual ploughing matches and cattle-shows. The contrast between the slovenly farming of Meath and the workmanlike manner in which the The following table exhibits the quantities of wheat, &c., sold at the principal grain markets of Down in the years 1834-5. The market of Newry is supplied from Armagh and other counties, as well as from Down; and large quantities of the produce of Down are disposed of at Belfast. Downpatrick Wheat. Oats. Barley. Bye. Bere. tons. tons. tous. tons. tous. Whether general grain market increasing or de creasing. Moira Newry. 1.000 7,710 23,850 Decreasing. ditto Decreasing. No return for 1835. Increasing. ditto Down is not a grazing county, nor are there any sheep farms; but great numbers of pigs are reared for the provision markets of Newry and Belfast. The general condition of the people is much superior to that of the peasantry of the southern counties. Wages of labourers are 10d. per day in winter, and 1s. during the rest of the year: the average number of days' work obtained in agriculture each year is 160. The resident nobility and gentry are more numerous in proportion to the extent of the county than in any other part of Ulster. Among the principal may be mentioned! the marquisses of Downshire and Donegal, and during a part of each year the marquis of Londonderry and Lord Clanwilliam, the earl of Roden, Earl Annesley, Lord Dufferin and Claneboy, Lord Bangor, Sir Robert Bateson, Mr. Ker, Colonel Forde, Mr. Sharman Crawford, &c., with incomes varying from 80007. to 60,000l. per annum. The yeomanry of the county are an intelligent class. cloth is the usual dress of the better class of the peasantry, and the loose frieze coat so common in Louth and the borders of Armagh is rarely seen here. The provisions of the lighting and paving act have been put in force in Newry and Downpatrick, and Banbridge, and are about being extended to Dromore. Blue Down contains seven baronies, and part of the lordship of Newry; the remainder of this division lying in Armagh. The baronies are-Ards, on the east and north-east, between Loch Strangford and the sea, containing part of the town of Newtownards, total population (in 1831) 4442; and the towns of Portaferry, population 2203; Bangor, population 2741; Donaghadee, population 2986; Ballywalter, population 664; and Kirkcubbin, population 537; Castlereagh, on the north-east and north, between Loch Strangford and the county of Antrim, containing the towns of Bally. macarratt (the eastern suburb of Belfast), population 5168; y strikes an ob ry forcibly. The now being par but has not yet whers. Fences of the Dua stone walls are y. manure alg ce of limesta ve through outh-east ther ony of Leake and allar rely of marke in thicknes hich time te rtile in s anure it not ate advance Juction was angford it which the nces wh g: and s had not yet of Dow opheles d of land, t wheat, &c. the year Area rge quer Belfast Comber, population 1377; Holywood, population 1288; | however, prefer hand-spun thread for the weft, and the and Saintfield, population 1053. Dufferin, on the western demand is still sufficient to give occupation to numerous shore of Loch Strangford, contains the town of Killi- females, who, except at the times of harvest, haymaking, leagh, population 1147. Iveagh, Lower, on the north and and raising the potato crop, can make from 3d. to 4d. per north-west towards Antrim, and Loch Neagh, containing day, besides attending to their ordinary rural concerns. the towns of Hillsborough, population 1453; Dromore, po- Weaving is mostly carried on in the houses of small farmers, pulation 1942; and Moira, population 787. Iveagh, Upper, and there are few weavers who do not give part of their on the west and midland, containing the towns of Ban- time to agriculture; hence they are generally a healthy bridge, population 2469; Rathfriland, population 2001; and long-lived class of men. Hand-spinning and weaving Loughbrickland, population 618; Warrenspoint, population are not confined to any particular district. When the webs 1856; Rosstrevor, population 996; and Castlewellan, po- are ready for the bleacher, they are carried to market. The pulation 729. Kinalearty, midland, between Upper Iveagh following table, drawn up in 1802, exhibits the quality and Dufferin, containing the town of Ballynahinch, popula- of cloth manufactured in the district surrounding each tion 970. Lecale, on the south-east, between Strangford town. It is difficult to ascertain the quantity made in the Loch and Dundrum bay, containing the borough of Down- county at large, as the markets of Lurgan, Lisburn, and patrick, population 4784; and the towns of Adglass, po- Belfast, are in a great measure supplied from the northern pulation 1162; Killough, population 1162; and Strangford, parts of Down, and it not unfrequently happens that what population 583; Mourne, lying between Dundrum bay and is sold in one market is resold in another. Carlingford Loch, containing the town of Kilkeel, population 1039; and part of the lordship of Newry, containing part of the borough of Newry, the total population of which is 13,065. Down returns four members to the imperial parliament, viz., two for the county, one for the borough of Newry, and one for the borough of Downpatrick. Besides these boroughs, Newtownards, Bangor, Killileagh, and Hillsborough returned members to the Irish parliament, and are still corporate towns. The lordship of Newry, the greater part of which lies within this county, is subject to a peculiar ecclesiastical jurisdiction exercised by the family of Needham as representatives of Sir Nicholas Bagnall, to whom, after the dissolution of religious houses in Ireland, the abbey of Newry with all its immunities and privileges was granted in fee by Edward VI. The manor of Mourne formed a portion of the original grant, and passed by marriage to the family of Paget, who claim the same ecclesiastical immunities for it in the diocese of Down as the Needham family for their portion in the diocese of Dromore, but hitherto without success. The authority of the representatives of the late Lord Kilmorey in his lordship of Newry extends to the presentation to livings, the granting of marriage licenses, probates, &c., in their ecclesiastical capacity, and to the holding of courts baron and leet, and discharging all recognizances to the Crown forfeited within that jurisdiction, in their civil capacity. Linen Markets in Newry a few Quality of Linens sold in each from 8 to 14 hundreds; up to 16 ditto from 8 to 14 ditto. The linen manufacture is the staple trade of Down, and gives employment to a greater nuinber of operatives, in proportion to the population, than in any other part of Ireland. In 1831 the number of linen weavers was 6711; and of weavers of damask, 6: the number of wheelwrights (makers of wheels for spinning linen yarn by hand) was 142; and of those employed in making other machinery for the manufacture of linens, millwrights, reed-makers, shuttle-makers, &c., 2207; together with 34 engaged in making machinery for drapers, and 32 for damasks; all exclusive of female hand-spinners throughout the county; so that the entire number to whom the trade gives occupation may be safely stated at 10,000. The linen manufac ture has been long carried on in Ireland, but its first great impulse was in consequence of the settlement of French refugees on the revocation of the edict of Nantes, who, by introducing the improved machinery of the continent, and setting an example of more business-like habits, raised the manufacture to a high degree of perfection and importance. To M. Crommelin, who settled at Lisburn in the reign of William III., Down owes the introduction of the improved manufacture on an extensive scale: before his time no web finer than of the quality called a fourteenhundred' had been made in Ireland. This enterprising individual imported a thousand looms from Holland, and gave the manufacture such importance as secured it the attention and patronage of government. In the 4th of Queen Anne the export duty on Irish linens was taken off, and from that time the trade has continued to flourish. The importation of flax-seed employs a considerable capital in Belfast and Newry. It is generally thought necessary to renew the seed from year to year; but a few farmers have latterly saved their own seed, and the practice has so far proved successful. The dressing of the grown crop gives employment to numerous scutchers and hacklers throughout the county; but the introduction of linen spinning machinery has materially lessened the demand for hand labour threads contained in that breadth; thus an eight hundred web is one whose in converting the dressed flax into thread. Manufacturers, P. C., No. 545. The next process, and that which employs nearly an equal number of hands, is the bleaching and preparing for market the green web as purchased from the weaver. The chief manufacturing district of this county, as of Ireland at large, is along the valley of the Upper Bann. The waters of this river are peculiarly efficacious in bleaching; and its rapid descent affords numerous sites for the machinery employed. From Tanderagie in Armagh, to five miles above Banbridge in Down, the banks of this river present an almost continuous succession of bleaching greens. On that part of the river which flows through Down there are eighteen of these establishments, each covering a large tract of ground, and giving employment to a numerous rural population. Besides these establishments, there are upon the Bann several extensive flour mills, a vitriol manufactory, and two factories for spinning linen thread by machinery. The waste of these bleach greens is found highly valuable as a manure. The neighbourhood of Guilford and Moyallan, about half way between Banbridge and Tanderagie, is celebrated for its rural beauty. Orchards are attached to all the better class of cottages, and the vicinity of so many bleach greens gives the effect of a continuous tract of rich park scenery on each bank of the river. The proprietors of the majority of these establishments are Dissenters and members of the Society of Friends, and the population generally is Protestant. The cotton and muslin manufacture in 1831 gave occupation to 3278 individuals: of these 307 were muslin weavers, and 13 were weavers of corduroy. The principal market for muslin fabrics is Belfast. This trade is not on the increase. The leather manufacture is carried on pretty briskly in Newry and in various parts of the county. The number of operatives employed in both in 1831 was 89. There is an extensive iron foundry near Ballymacarratt, which supplies much of the machinery used in the factories of Belfast. Here also are salt and vitriol works, with a manufacture of coarse glass. The manufacture of kelp is carried on to some extent on the shores of Loch Strangford. The exports and imports of Down are made almost entirely through the ports of Belfast and Newry. The net receipts of customs' duty at Newry in 1836 was 43,8677. About 80,000 firkins of butter are exported yearly from Down, and this as well as all other exports is increasing. The fishery on the coast from Bangor to Carlingford bay is pursued with a good deal of industry, but hitherto without sufficient capital or skill. The herring fishery com The linens being one yard wide, are distinguished by the number of warp contains that number of threads of yarn, VOL. IX.-Q mences in July, and is pursued throughout the autumn and The following table exhibits the number of boats and men | Arklow, Skerries, and other places on the Irish coast. This concourse of fishermen causes a considerable trade in Ardglass. Three additional butchers have booths here for the sale of meat during the season. The English and Man boats are larger and better found than the Irish. Their tackle and gear also are of a superior description; and although so many inhabitants of the coast appear by the above table to be engaged in the pursuit, it is a remarkable fact that neither at Newry, Downpatrick, nor Belfast, is there a sufficient supply of fish, and that the salt herrings consumed throughout the county are invariably of Scotch curing. There is ample occupation for five times the number of men at present engaged in the fishing off this coast. The county assizes are held twice a year at Downpatrick. Quarter sessions are held by the assistant barrister twice a year at Downpatrick, Newry, Dromore, and Newtownards. The constabulary force stationed in Down in the year 1835 consisted of 5 chief constables, 30 constables, 114 sub-con452 452 stables, and 6 horses; and the expense of their support was 6,884/. 68., of which 3,2977. 10s. 8d. was chargeable against the county. 126 126 216 264 135 135 196 217 re- 175 87 10 76 8 358 1608 2305 Upwards of 300 boats frequent Ardglass harbour during the fishing season. Of those about one-third are from Eng land, one-third from the Isle of Man, and one-third from Before and for some time after the coming of the English, Down was known as Ulladh or Ulidia, the original of the name of Ulster. The antient inhabitants are supposed to have been the Voluntii of Ptolemy. The north-eastern portion of Down was at an early period occupied by the Picts, of whom there was a considerable colony so late as the 6th and 7th centuries, extending from Strangford Loch to the Lower Bann in Antrim. Whether these Picts, who are called Cruithne by the annalists, were of a nation essentially different from the bulk of the Celtic inhabitants of Ireland is still under discussion: the region occupied by them abounds with stone-circles, cromlechs, and subterranean galleries, which usually mark the presence of this pe culiar people. The territory occupied by them was called Dalaradia, and extended from the Ravil river in Antrim over the southern part of that county and the north and north-east of Down. and the Whites, who had held the centre of the county, were confined to that part of Dufferin which borders on Loch Strangford on the west. Castlereagh fell into the hands of the O'Neills; Kinelearty into those of the Mac Artanes; and Mac Rory and Magennis obtained the whole of Upper and Lower Íveagh. Lecale and Mourne, being protected until the middle of the seventeenth century by the castles of Ardglass, Dundrum, and Green Castle, held out against the natives, and having a sea communication with Louth, were considered as part of that county, while the rest of Down remained without the pale. The presence of St. Patrick in this county in the sixth century is attested by authentic records, and can be traced with topographical exactness at the present day. Downpatrick, Saul, Dromore, Moville, and Bangor, are the chief ecclesiastical foundations of Patrick and his immediate successors. Of these the last was the most famous, having a college, which for many years rivalled the schools of Armagh and Lismore. The foundation of the abbey of Newry for Cistertian monks, by Maurice Mac Loughlin, king of Ireland, in 1153, is the most interesting event connected with Down prior to the English invasion, as the charter is still extant (O'Connor's Rer. Hib. Scrip. Vet. Proleg. ii., 153), witnessed by the celebrated primate Gelasius and by the petty kings of most of the northern provinces. The lands are conveyed with their woods, waters, and mills. The Whites and Savages being separated from the English fell soon after into Irish habits, but still maintained an independence among the hostile tribes around them. Ardquin in Upper Ards, and Killileagh on the shore of Loch Strangford, were their respective places of defence. The attainder of Shane O'Neill, who was slain in rebellion in 1567, threw all Iveagh, Kinelearty, Castlereagh, and Lower Ards into the hands of the Crown. The dissolution of religious houses had already enabled the government to place an English colony at Newry, which had been granted to the family of Bagnall, and an attempt was made in 1572 to occupy the Ards and Castlereagh with a similar force under the family of Smith: but the son of Sir Thomas Smith, who led the expedition, being killed by Neal Mac Brian Artagh, one of the attainted O'Neills, the project miscarried. Some indulgence was now shown to the O'Neills, Magennises, and Mac Artanes, who upon submission acquired grants of their estates. In 1602, however, O'Neill of Castlereagh being seized on some slight pretext, and imprisoned in Car Down was overrun by the English under John de Courcy m 1177. The chief families introduced by the conquest were the Savages, Whites, Riddles, Sendalls, Poers, Chamberlains, Stokes, Mandevilles, Jordans, Stauntons, Logans, Papelaws, Russels, Audleys, Copelands, Martells. Of these the Savages, Whites, and Russels still remain: most of the other names have become extinct in consequence of subsequent conquests by the Irish, and forfeiture. The county was originally divided into two shires, Down, and Newtown or the Ards, to which sheriffs were regularly appointed until 1333, when the revolt of the Irish on the murder of William de Burgho [BELFAST] overturned the English authority throughout Ulster. The family of Savage, who had possessed the baronies of Ards and Castlereagh, were driven into the peninsula between Loch Strangford and the sea, year at Do tant barrere , and New own in the pr stables, 114 of ther sa s charge Coming of fl idia, the eng Sitants are s The re od asped by hs, and str esence of them as river a the still standing. There are also some remains of the fortifications erected by General Monk for the defence of the passes into Armagh at Scarvagh, Poyntz, and Tuscan passes. The chief ecclesiastical remains in Down are at Downpatrick, where there are the ruins of the cathedral, and of three other religious houses. The cathedral was 100 feet in length; the roof of the centre aisle was supported by five arches of fine proportions. Prior to 1790, a round tower 66 feet in height stood at the western end: it was taken down at the time of the partial rebuilding of the cathedral; and it is worthy of remark, that part of the wall of some more antient edifice was found to run below its foundations. There is another round tower at Drumbo, near Belfast. There are a few remains of the abbey of Bangor; and at Greyabbey there is still standing in good preservation a part of the antient abbey founded here in 1192 by Africa, daughter of the king of Man, and wife of De Courcy. rickfergus Castle, contrived to make his escape by the Education has made rapid progress since 1821; in that year the number of young persons receiving instruction was 9521; in 1824 it was 14,111; and in 1834 the number of young persons receiving daily instruction, in the two dioceses of Down and Dromore, which are together very nearly co-extensive with the county, was 36,446. These dioceses stand respectively fourth and twelfth in educational rank among the thirty-two dioceses of Ireland. According to Mr. D'Alton's return of funds designed for educational purposes in Ireland, the annual amount so designed in Down is 10921. 2s. 84d.; the acreable possessions of the different schools is seventy-one acres, and the amount contributed by the National Board of Education is 645l. per annum. A mile and a half to the east of Downpatrick is a hill about 150 feet high, called Strual mountain, celebrated all over Ireland for the resort of the lower orders of Roman Catholics, who come here every Midsummer for the performance of penance. The ceremonies commence by the penitents climbing Strual mountain on their knees, with a large stone placed on the back of the neck, three, seven, or nine times, according to the circumstances of the case: after this they are turned thrice round in a stone seat called St. Patrick's chair, by a person who in 1830 used to come annually from the county of Mayo for the purpose of presiding over this part of the ceremony. The penitents then deOf the Pagan antiquities of Down, the most remarkable scend to a neighbouring plain, where they bathe promisis a stone cromlech, inclosed by a circular ditch of extra- cuously in a well dedicated to St. Patrick, and conclude by ordinary dimensions, called the Giant's Ring, near Shaw's drinking from another well. Tents are erected in the adBridge, half way between Lisburn and Belfast. The inclo-jacent fields, and the evening is generally spent in dissipasure is nearly half an English mile in circumference; and tion. the rampart is still from 12 to 14 feet in height. There are stone monuments of the same character at Sliddeny Ford, near Dundrum, and Legaraney in the parish of Drumgoolan. There is a remarkable cairn, or sepulchral pile of stones, on the top of Slieve Croob. The main pile is 77 yards in circumference at bottom, 45 yards at top, and 54 feet high at its greatest elevation; there are twentytwo smaller cairns raised on the top. Along the Armagh boundary of Down there extends a great earthen rampart, called by the people of the country the Danes' Cast, and sometimes Tyrone's ditches. The native Irish call it Glin na muie duibh, or the Glen of the Black Pig, which is the name applied by the lowland Scotch to the wall of Antoninus. The Danes' Cast measures from 80 to 50 feet across, and occurs at intervals along the line of the Newry canal from the lands of Lisnagade, where it commences, near Scarvagh in Down, to the neighbourhood of Forkhill in the county of Armagh, west of which it has been traced to a great distance by the officers of the Ordnance Survey. Its origin is quite unknown. There are numerous raths or earthen entrenched mounds throughout Down, of which the most remarkable are at Downpatrick, Donaghadee and Dromore. Of the Anglo-Norman military antiquities of Down, the castle of Dundrum is the most important. It is imposingly situated on a rock over the bay, and consists of a circular keep with numerous outworks. It is said to have been built by De Courcy for the knights templars, who occupied it till the suppression of that order in 1313, DOWN, a bishop's see in the ecclesiastical province of when it was granted to the prior of Down. In 1517 it was Armagh in Ireland. The chapter, which is regulated by taken from the Irish, who had seized it some time before, patent of James I., consists of dean, precentor, chancellor, by Gerald earl of Kildare; and again in 1538 by the Lord archdeacon, and two prebendaries. With the exception of Deputy Grey, with seven other castles in Lecale. It after-part of one parish lying in Antrim, this diocese is situated wards got into the hands of the Magennises, who held it for entirely in the county of Down, of which it occupies the Shane O'Neill, who is said to have usually kept 200 tons eastern portion. It extends in length from south-west to of wine in his cellars here. In 1601 it was taken from Ever north-east 51 English miles, by 28 miles in breadth from east Magennis by the lord deputy Mountjoy, and was finally to west. It contains 42 parishes, constituting 37 benefices. dismantled by order of Cromwell during the progress of the In 1792 the number of churches was 33; and in 1834 the war of 1641. It is now the property of the marquis of numbers were, churches of the establishment 40, Roman Downshire, as representative of Lord Blundell, to whom it Catholic 37, Presbyterian 56, other places of worship 19. came through the earl of Ardglass after its forfeiture by In the same year the gross population of the diocese was the Magennises. Green Castle in Mourne was a place of 188,558, of whom there were 27,662 members of the great importance in the early history of Ulster. In 1495 established church, 58,405 Roman Catholics, 98,961 Presit was deemed so important a post, that none but an Eng-byterians, and 3,530 other Protestant Dissenters, being in lishman was permitted to be warden. The castle of New-the proportion of rather more than two Protestants of whatcastle was built by Felix Magennis in 1588, and is still ever denomination to one Roman Catholic. There were inhabited. The Magennises had castles also at Castlewellan at the same time in this diocese 309 daily schools, educating and Rathfriland. There are extensive military remains at Ardglass, and the castles of Killileagh, Ardquin, Portaferry, Bangor, and Hillsborough, are the most important of those County expenses are defrayed by grand jury presentments: average amount so levied during the twenty years preceding 1830, 31,000l. Down pays 13,8177. 98. 6d. as share of the original expense of the district lunatic asylum at Belfast, and a share of the annual expense proportioned to its population. Two newspapers are supported at Newry: the number of stamps issued to these in 1831 was 122,600; and in 1836 the number was 121,961. The gross produce of customs' duties collected within the Newry and Strangford district in the year 1835 was 53,9027. 48. 7d. (Harris's History of Down, Dublin, 1744; Statistical 19,459 young persons, being in the proportion of 10.26 per Q 2 of Ireland. Of the above schools 46 were in connection with the National Board of Education. The see of Down was founded about the end of the fifth century by St. Patrick, who appointed Cailin, abbot of Antrim, to the bishopric. The first episcopal seat was at Downpatrick, then called Aras Keltair and Rath Keltair, where it continued until after the plantation of Ulster in the reign of James I., when the church of Lisburn was by letters patent constituted the cathedral of the united diocese of Down and Connor; but the original episcopal seat was restored to Downpatrick by act of parliament about 1790. The most distinguished bishop of Down, prior to the English invasion, was Malachy O'Morgair, who succeeded in 137, and assisted the Primate Gelasius in the introduction of the Roman discipline. In 1442, the union of Down with the see of Connor took place in the person of John first bishop of the united diocese. Among his successors, those of most note were, Leslie, bishop during the wars of 1641, and the celebrated Doctor Jeremy Taylor, who succeeded in 1660. From 1441 down to the end of the last century there has been no episcopal residence attached to this see. Doctor Taylor generally resided at Portmore, near Glenavy, in the county of Antrim. The present episcopal mansion stands within a mile of Holywood, on the eastern shore of Belfast Loch. The same ecclesiastical immunities are claimed by the Paget family for their manor of Mourne in this diocese as by the Needham family for their Lordship of Newry [DowN] in the diocese of Dromore; but this claim has always been resisted by the bishops of Down. By act 3rd and 4th William IV. c. 37, the united diocese of Down and Connor is further augmented by the diocese of Dromore. (Beaufort's Memoir of a Map of Ireland; Ware's Bishops; Reports of Commissioners, &c.) A piece of land, nearly thirty acres, having been purchased for the site, and for grounds and walks, on the 18th May, 1807, the first stone was laid; since which time the building has proceeded at intervals, at the expense of above 60,000l. In 1821 buildings sufficient for opening the college, and comprizing nearly two sides of a large court, were completed; and in May, 1821, undergraduates were admitted to reside and keep terms. This college will consist of a master, two professors (one of the laws of England and one of medicine), sixteen fellows (two of which only are clerical), and six scholars. The objects of the foundation are stated in the charter to be students in law, physic, and other useful arts and learning. At present only the master, professors, and three fellows, are appointed, for the purpose of taking possession of the estates, administering the revenues, superintending the building of the college, and for the other necessary purposes. The appointment of the remaining fellows is reserved until after the erection of the buildings necessary for the college. The scholars will also be elected after that period; but not more than two in each year. There are also two chaplains nominated by the master. The master is elected by the archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the masters of St. John's and Clare Hall, from among those who have been professors or fellows. The electors to professorships are the same as to the mastership, with the addition of the master. The electors to the fellowships are, the master, professors, and fellows of the degree of M.A. After the building of the college is completed, the elections will be annually on the 21st of February, While the college remains uncompleted, the elections to fellowships are at uncertain times, depending upon vacancies. The clerical fellowships are to be tenable for life: the lay fellowships to continue only for twelve years. The DOWNING COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. The sole present master is the Rev. Thomas Worsley, M.A., elected founder of this college was Sir George Downing, Bart., of 1836; and the number of members upon the boards of the Gamlingay Park, in Cambridgeshire, who by will dated 20th college forty-nine. The rectory of East Hartly, and the December, 1717, devised estates in the counties of Cam-vicarage of Tadlow, both in the county of Cambridge, are in bridge, Bedford, and Suffolk, first to Sir Jacob Gerard the patronage of this college. Downing, and afterwards to other relations in succession, and in failure thereof, to build and found a college in this university, upon a plan to be approved of by the two archbishops and the masters of St. John's and Clare Hall. This direction was the reason for giving them the power which they possess in elections and other matters by the charter and statutes. Sir George died in 1749 and Sir Jacob in 1764, and (the other devisees having previously died without issue) upon this event the foundation ought to have been immediately carried into execution. But the estates were in the possession of Lady Downing, and afterwards of her devisees, without any real title; and when the university sued in chancery for the establishment of the college, the party in possession resisted the suit in that court. In 1769 a decree was obtained in favour of the foundation. The persons named as trustees in the founder's will having died in his lifetime, the execution of the trusts devolved upon the heirs-at-law; who, after combating a long series of opposition and litigation, and overcoming obstacles of various descriptions, preferred a petition to the crown for a charter; and at length, in 1800, the privy council decided to recommend the foundation to his majesty. On 2nd September, 1800, the great scal was affixed to the charter by Lord Loughborough: by this charter the college is incorporated with all the privileges belonging to any college in the university, and endowed with the estate devised by the founder, with a power to hold landed property (in addition thereto) to the value of 15007. per annum. The charter directs statutes to be framed for the government of the college, which was done in July, 1805, and shortly afterwards the stipends of the members began to be paid. By the statutes, no beneficial leases of the college estates are allowed, nor any fine to be taken for a grant or renewal. It is also provided that no new foundation shall ever be engrafted on this college which shall be inconsistent with the charter and statutes. But the college may accept any additions to their property in augmentation of the number or value of their present appointments, or to be applied in any other manner consistent with their present constitution. There is also a power given to the four electors and the master to alter the statutes, on application by a certain portion of the college. (Ackermann's Hist. of the Univ. of Cambridge, 4to, Lond. 1815, vol. ii. p. 283-288; Cambridge Univ. Calendar for 1837.) DOWNPATRICK, the assize town of the county of Down, in Ireland, distant from Dublin 73 Irish or 93 English miles; situated in the barony of Lecale, one mile to the south of the Quoil river, which opens into the south-western angle of Strangford Loch about four miles to the east. Downpatrick is the seat of a bishopric, and returns a member to the imperial parliament. Constituency, 525. The boundaries of the borough embrace an extent of 1486 statute acres, containing 897 houses, of which 237 are thatched and 660 are slated: of the latter 285 are estimated to be worth 107. per annum. Downpatrick takes its name from St. Patrick, who is stated in many antient records to have been buried here. Before his time the place was called Rath Keltair and Dun-da-leth-glass, from an earthen fortification, the ruins of which still cover a considerable space, and present an imposing appearance on the north-west of the town. On the conquest of Ulster by the English in 1177, De Courcy made Downpatrick his head-quarters, and it continued in the hands of the English until about the time of the rebellion of Shane O'Neill, in 1567, when it fell into the hands of the Irish, but was retaken by Sir Richard Mor rison soon after. The town is pleasantly situated in a rich, undulating country, surrounded by hills. There is a good court-house, a ruined cathedral, one church, two Roman Catholic do a Presbyterian meeting-house, a Methodist do., and a good market-house and gaol. An hospital was founded here about 1740, by Mr. Southwell, for the reception of decayed tenants. The provisions of the Paving and Lighting Act were put in force here in 1829, since which time the town has been lighted with oil: expense, about 360l. per annum. There are branches of the northern banking company and of the provincial bank of Ireland at Downpatrick. There are ten schools with small endowments within the deanery; a diocesan school, to which the bishop and clergy subscribe 907. per annum; and a gaol school supported by the county; besides a male and female school, supported by Lady Harriet Forde, and twenty-four other schools total number of voung persons under instruction. 897 males and 462 females. |