84 New Oat called the Sparrow Bill.

three beasts, and four thousand eight hnndred and fifty-three horses, were landed here; their estimated value exceeded three hundred and fifty thousand pounds. The numerous and heavy tolls between Port Patrick and Carlisle induce the drovers to take many of their cattle in the coal ships to White Haven, or Workington, which has reduced the trade of the place. The distance across to Donaghadee is scarcely twenty-four miles; the usual time of the passage about four or five hours. The facility with which the passage is made, in some degree accounts for the inns being so indifferent. Whatever might be wanting, in point of comfort, at the Downshire Arms, nothing could exceed the civility and attention of the landlord, Mr. Gordon, who is besides a farmer on a small scale. He showed me a field of oats, sown the latter end of April, and now nearly ready for cutting; the oats are of a new sort, called the "sparrow bill," and are supposed to have been brought from America. Mr. Gordon grew some of them last year which weighed forty-six pounds the Winchester bushel; and as they ripen early, even when sown late, I conceive they may be a valuable acquisition to the agriculture of Scotland, and the northern parts of England. A field of his barley had been cut, and was safe in the stack. The po

Irish Cattle met in low Condition.

85

tatoe crop here is very promising; the curl, in dry seasons, seldom makes its

appearance.

We extended our walk nearly a mile along the cliff to Dunskerry Castle, which appears to have been a place of considerable consequence; from this spot we had a very fine view of the Irish coast.

Though we have now passed over one hundred and eighty miles of country; yet, in a direct line across the Solway Frith, I should not estimate our distance from home much to exceed fifty. How much in idea does the extent of distant points consist? Under these circumstances, the journey, thus far, would have appeared a considerable undertaking; as it is, we regard it only as a prelude to that which we have in contemplation.

Several droves of cattle met us yesterday in low condition. Were the fertility of Ireland to be estimated by their appearance, no one could entertain a favourable opinion of its exuberance. The fact, however, being notoriously otherwise, reference must be had to moral, not physical, causes, among which, most probably, would be found extremely bad management, arising from the general poverty of the Irish husbandmen. Capital, skill, and industry, in the space of one

86

Improvements in Norfolk.

century, have converted the worst natural soil in the empire into a surface which now contends with the most luxuriant in the production of all kinds of grain.

When King James wished to parcel Norfolk out, to make roads for the rest of England, it could not have been in his contemplation that on a future day the agriculture of this county. would give it a rank amongst the most valuable parts of his dominions. The rapid progress made on so discouraging a subject as the soil of Norfolk, during a period when so little improvement has been made in the more naturally fertile districts, may be ascribed to three local advantages; the dryness of its climate-the presence of marl-and the introduction of the turnip husbandry, by the first Marquis of Townshend's father; to whose indefatigable labours the posterity, not only of Norfolk, but the whole island, are under the most weighty obligations.

The mail is arrived, and our immediate embarkation announced: I have only time to add, that in petitioning Heaven for a fair wind, and a smooth sea, I do not forget to include health, happiness, and sunshine for you. Adieu.

J. C. C.

LETTER IX.

Donaghadee, August 19, 1813.

THE afternoon was delightful; the little wind there was, favourable; and the sea perfectly smooth. Consonant as these circumstances were to our wishes, yet, like all other human concerns, a something still was wanting. The breeze was so faint that we made little progress, and seven hours were expended on the passage, during which the two coasts were seen to great advantage.

The rock of Ailsa presented a very singular and interesting object; its perpendicular height is about nine hundred and forty feet above high water-mark. While we moved slowly on, the mind was naturally and involuntarily drawn to the country we were about to visit. Of its topography, and natural history, I felt myself inexcusably ignorant; but of the objects in which its political interests were involved I was not altogether so uninformed.

The incorporation of one independent king

88

Reflections on the Union.

dom with another was an event of great magnitude, and of such vital importance to each, as to call forth the attention, affect the interests, and possibly the future happiness, of every individual in both countries. I had examined the arguments, and the pretensions, of both parties, and had exercised an opinion on the points in controversy. Moderation was not the distinguishing character of either party, in the discussion of this great national question.

Mr. Pitt had not a more determined political opponent than myself; yet, decided as was my opposition to his general system of finance and government, that hostility did not warp my judgment on this occasion. An union of the two kingdoms appeared to me indispensably requisite to preserve the connexion between them :-the interest of both required it.

The experiment had been made in the union with Scotland, and with the happiest consequences; and although I cannot but admire the arguments of Mr. Fletcher, of Saltown, against it, yet is there now an individual of Scotland who would wish that great national measure had not been effected?

While there was every appearance that the