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IV.

ties of both head and heart, which distinguish alike the real christian and true philanthropist,---honoured in public, and adored in private life, it would be, indeed, difficult to find a name so highly esteemed, so truly and duly venerated.

I have the honour to be,

My Lord,

Your Lordship's very obedient,

Humble servant,

JAMES ADAIR PILSON.

PREFACE.

THE rapid and gigantic progress which Belfast is making in the onward march of all the improvements of this extraordinary improving age, the important position which it has already attained in the political, commercial, and literary world,—the wealth, honour, and independence of its "many merchants and men of note," cannot fail in making a History of its Rise and Progress an acceptable publication at the present time.

In this work, the origin of Belfast, and its civil and political history, as well as a succinct and accurate detail of the past and present state of its commerce, manufactures, literary spirit; religious, charitable, and benevolent institutions, are given upon the most authentic data.

In the Annals of the County Antrim will be found a faithful record of every important event which has occurred within its limits, from the earliest period to the present day, being, in fact, a Chronological Cyclopedia of its Ecclesiastical and Military Antiquities, History, Topography, and Statistics.

LIST OF AUTHORITIES

IN WHICH

THE FACTS RECORDED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES WILL BE FOUND.

Spencer's View of the State of Ireland,

Sir James Ware's Antiquities,

M' Geoghegan's History of Ireland,

Archdall's Monasticon,

Lodge's Peerage,

The Publications of the Irish Archæological Society,

Dubourdieu's Statistical Survey of the County of Antrim,
Gough's Camden,

Hollinshed's Chronicle,

Annals of the Four Masters,

Fynes Moryson's History of Ireland,

Lawson's History of the Rebellion of 1641,

Hamilton's Letters on the Northern coast of Antri

Historical Collections of Belfast,

Cox's History of Ireland,

M'Skimmin's History of Carrickfergus.

Sir Thomas Molyneux's Discourse,

Lanigan's Ecclesiastical History of Ireland,

Rushton's Historical Collections.

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