An English tourist travelling that way in 1635 gives a quaint description of the country in that transition period:-- On July 5 he landed at Carrickfergus, where he found that Lord Chichester had a stately house, 'or rather like a prince's palace.' In Belfast, he said, my Lord Chichester had another _daintie_, stately palace, which, indeed, was the glory and beauty of the town.

And there were also _daintie_ orchards, gardens, and walks planted.

The Bishop of Dromore, to whom the town of Dromore entirely belonged, lived there in a 'little timber house.' He was not given to hospitality, for though his chaplain was a Manchester man, named Leigh, he allowed his English visitor to stop at an inn over the way.

'This,' wrote the tourist, 'is a very dear house, 8 d.

ordinary for ourselves, 6 d.