OF THE U N l VER.5 ITY OF ILLINOIS 914. 183 |v\l7n UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS LIBRARY AT URBANA Champaign BOOK STACKS I r 7 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Alternates https://archive.org/details/newpictureofdublOOmcgr TIEW ©IF IWBJLOT Fl©M TIE FMOKIOX IPAMIK NEW Picture of Bufcltu : COMPREHENDING A HISTORY OF THE CITY, AN ACCURATE ACCOUNT OF ITS VARIOUS ESTABLISHMENTS AND INSTITUTIONS, And a correct Description OP ALL THE PUBLIC EDIFICES CONNECTED WITH THEM; WITH AN APPENDIX, CONTAINING SEVERAL USEFUL TABLES; FORMING & Complete OrtttUe TO EVERY THING CURIOUS AND INTERESTING IN THE IRISH METROPOLIS; Illustrated by a large Map of the City , and Fifty -Six Views of Public Buildings , #fc. and collected from authentic Documents , and personal Inspection , BY JOHN JAMES M ‘GREGOR, AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION. ©uMttt; Printed for A. M. Graham, 16, College-green, and 35, Ca pel-street. 1821 . . c4 - o a> E lb X ** <5- ,5 3> 1 3 £ l 1 j i !3C ®NOius ”5 2 9 TO THE RESIDENTS AND OCCASIONAL VISITORS OF DUBLIN PERMIT me to introduce to your notice this little Work, which I trust will prove a faithful and accurate Picture of the Metropolis of Ire- land, To attain this end neither labour nor expense has been spared. Every necessary document has been procured, and access obtained to the most correct sources of information. In the prosecution of the subject, not only the Political, Civil, Literary, and Commercial His- tory of your City has been attended to, but what dedication, viii is of still greater importance, the progress of its inhabitants in Religion and Morals. That their advancement in these particulars during the last twenty years has been considerable, is best evinced by the numerous religious, useful, and charitable Institutions which have sprung up amongst you within that period. The diffusion of Religious Knowledge, the Education of the Rising Genera- tion, to find Asylums for the Destitute, and restore the Diseased to life and vigour, seem now to be the paramount objects of your Gentry ; and to which every class of the Community lend their ge% nerous support* The Architectural Beauties of Dublip, in w^hich it can vie with the proudest Cities of Europe, have not been neglected. Of these, accurate descriptions have been obtained, aided by the more striking efforts of the Graphic Art. It is cause of deep regret, that the state of your Lite- rature, Arts, and Manufactures, cannot be placed in the same favourable point of view. Many causes have tended to depress them ; but we have i DEDICATION. VI. reason to hope, that a wise and liberal Government will soon extend its supporting hand to these great National Objects; a measure which must, in a considerable degree, remove the reproach which has so long existed on this subject in the second City of the British Empire. I feel bound to acknowledge, with respect, the great assistance I have derived in the prosecution of this task, from the Directors of the various Institutions, by whom not only every facility has been afforded for the examination of their present state, but much useful and interesting informa- tion given respecting the origin and progress of those Establishments. From a Gentleman well acquainted with the Antiquities of the City, has been derived some information of the highest interest and utility. In the arrangement of the Work, I have endea- voured, as much as possible, to bring all the sub- jects connected with each department together, so as to render it a complete Guide to the Me- X. DEDICATION. tropolis, suited to the taste of every Reader Seme Tables, highly useful to the occasional Visitor, will be found in the Appendix. That your City may continue to improve in Morals, Wealth, and Peace, is the ardent wish of THE AUTHOR, (SDlflilll Page. HISTORY OF DUBLIN, l Etymology 2 Conversion of the Irish to Chris- tianity - ib. Arrival of the Danes 3 Invasion of the English 4 Danes expelled 10 Arrival of Henry II. ll John. 1 2 Black Monday 13 Magna Charta granted 14 Castle built ib. Great Fires ib. Bruce’s Invasion 15 Scarcity and Pe-xtilence 16 Arrival of Richard II. 17 Henry V. 1 8 Lambert Shnnel crowned ib. Quarrel between Kildare and Or- mond 10 Sweating Sickness 20 Fitzgerald’s Insurrection ib. Reformation commenced 22 Character of Patrick Sarsfield, the Lord Mayor 23 Great Plague 26 Trinity College founded ib. Tyrone’s Conspiracy 27 Rebellion of 1641 28 Ormond besieges Dublin 29 Arrival of Cromwell ib. James II. 31 William III. 32 The Revolution 33 Annals of Dublin from 1704 to 1821 ib. DESCRIPTION Ancient Dublin 43 Curious description by Stanihurst 44 Ancient mode of Building 5] Ancient Customs 52 Modern Dublin 66 Extent and Population ib. 3ay of Dublin 57 Approach to the City 58 Table of Population 62 Markets, &c. 63 Vice-Regil Government 67 LatcI Lieutenant’s Household ib. Page. Castle 67 Castle Chapel 71 Record Office 72 Waidrobe Tower 73 Military Establishment 74 Revenue 75 Custom-house ib. Stamp Office 77 General Post-Office 78 Ecclesiastical History 82 Cathedral of Christ Church ib. St. Patrick’s 86 Parish Churches 95 Ancient Abbies, &c. 114 Ecclesiastical Courts I 30 Religious Sects and Communi- ties 131 Presbyterians ib. Secession Church 138 Baptists 139 Quakers ib. Methodists 141 Moravians 143 Independents 145 Walker’s Society ib. Kelly’s ditto 146 French Protestants 147 German Lutherans ib. Roman Catholics ib. Parish Chapels 149 Friaries 154 N turneries 155 Jews 158 Municipal Government 159 Lord Mayor ib. Aldermen and Common Council 160 Guilds 161 Police 162 Municipal Buildings 164 Manors 165 Prisons 168 Institutions for the Reformation of Prisoners 172 House of Correction ib. Dublin Penitentiary 173 Institutions for the Improvement of the City ib. Pipe Water Committee ib?. IV. CONTENTS. Page Commissioners for Faving and Lighting 174 Wide Streets ib. Ballast Office 175 Courts of Law 177 Court of Chancery ib. King’s Bench' ib. Common Pleas 178 Exchequer ib. Description of the Four Courts ib. Inns of Court 179 High Court of Admiralty 1 8 1 Commerce 1 82 Royal Exchange i 83 Commercial Buildings 185 Corn Exchange 186 Bank of Ireland 187 Agriculture and Manufactures 191 Farming Society ib. Linen Hall 192 Cotton Manufacture 193 Silk do. ib. Woollen do. 194 Stove Tenter House 195 Literature 197 Newspapers ib. Magazines 198 History of the UNIVERSITY ib. Museum 202 Library 203 Park , 204 Anatomy-house ib. Printing-office 205 Provost's House ib. College Botanic Garden ib. Ro)aI College at Maynooth 206 Feinaiglian Institution 207 Scientific and Literary Societies 215 Royal College of Physicians ib. Surgeons 216 Royal Dublin Society ib. The Hall 218 The Library ib. The Museum ib. Sir C. GieseeJce's Museum 220 Museum Hibernicum ib. Royai Irish Academy 222 Kirwanian Society 223 lberno Celtic Society ib. Archaeological Society 228 Public Libraries ib. Marsh’s Library ib ■ Dublin Library Society 229 Dublin Institution ib. Religio us A ssociations 2 3 1 Association for Discountenanc- ing Vice ib. Hibernian Bible Society 232 Dublin Naval and Military Bible {Society 233 Page Religious Tract and Book So. ciety 234 Hibernian Church Missionary Society 235 Hibernian Missionary Society ib. Society for Conversion of the Jews 236 Hibernian Missionary Society for Tartary, &c. 237 Methodist Missionary Society 238 Charitable Associations ib. Ouzel Galley 239 Musical Fund ib. Literary Teachers 240 Sick and Indigent Roomkeepers ib. Stranger’s Friend ib. Charitable Loan ib. Meath Loan 241 Goldsmith’s Jubilee ib. Debtor’s Friend ib. Association for the Suppression of Mendicity ib , Association for the Improvement of Prison Discipline 245 Education of the Poor ib. Incorporated Society ib. Erasmus Smith’s Schools 246 Blue Coat Hospital 247 Foundling Hospital 249 Hibernian Military School 251 Marine School 252 Bedford Asylum 253 Deaf and Dumb School ib. Female Orphan House 256 Masonic do. 257 Pleasants's do. ib. Keliet’s School ib. ' Sunday School Society ib. Dublin Free School * 260 ; Society for Promoting the Edu- - I cation of the Poor ib. ! Irish Society 261 I Baptist Corresponding Society 26? Juveni e Institution ib. Protestant Parochial Schools 263 ' Roman Catholic Schools ib.. j Institutions for the Reformation of Manners 264 Magdalen Asylum ib. Lock Penitentiary 265 Dublin Female Penitentiary 266 Bow-street Asylum 267 Townsend-street do. 268 Asylums for Widows ib. James’s Alms House ib. Great Bri tain-street do. 270 Fortick’s do. ib. Widows' Retreat ib. Clergymens Widows’ do. 271 CONTENTS. Page i Parish Alms-Houses 271 Methodist Alms-H ouse ib - Presbyterian, Independent, and Moravian do. 272 R oman Catholic do. ib. Charitable Asylums 273 House of Industry ib. Asylum for aged Servants ib. House of Refuge, Bagot-street 274 Stanhope-street 276 Asylum for Old Men ib. The Retreat 277 Dorset Institution ib. Simpson’s Hospital ib. Richmond National Institution 278 Molyneux Asylum ib. Royal Hospital, Kilmainham 279 Hospitals for the Diseased 280 Lying-in-Hospital ib. Stevens’s Hospital 282 Swift’s Hospital 283 Richmond Lunatic Asylum ib. Lock Hospital * 28.5 Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital ib. Mercer’s Hospital 286 Hospital for Incurables ib. Charitable Infirmary 287 Royal Military Infirmary ib* Fever Hospital, Cork -street 288 Circular-road 290 George ’s-p lace ib. Dispensaries ib. National Eye Infirmary ib. Charitable Institution ib. Dispensary for Infant Poor 29 1 Vaccine Institution ib. Apothecaries Hall ib. General View ib. Public Squares 292 Stephen’s-green jb. Merrion-square 293 Fitzwilliam-square 294 Rutland-square ib. Mountjoy -square ib. Quays and Bridges 295 Sarah Bridge ib. Barrack Bridge g96 Queen’s Bridge Whitworth Bridge Richmond Bridge Essex Bridge 1 ron Bridge Carlisle Bridge Canals, Docks, &c. Grand Canal Royal Canal Public Statues Sf Monuments Statue of William III. George I. George II. George III: Nelson’s Pillar The Wellington Testimonial ib. The Royal Arcade 302 Fine Arts 303 Painting ib. Collections of Pictures 305 Eminent Artists 307 Music 308 Accommodation for Travellers 309 New Custom-house Stores and Docks 31 J | State of Society and Manners 3 1 1 j Public Amusements 314 ! Theatres jb. Crow-street Theatre 315 Hawkins’s-street do. lb. Fishamble-street do. ib. Rotunda Gardens jb„ Panoramas, &c. ib; Environs jb APPENDIX 1 323 Public Buildings and Offices ib. Post-Office Regulations 325 Packets 3 Mail anc! S tage Coaches i b. Rates of C images 329 Bankers in Dublin 332 Synopsis of Schools for Gra- tuitous Education ib. Hotels 334 Divine Service in Churches 335 General Abstract of Public In- stitutionsand Edifices Page 296 ib. 297 ib: ib. 298 ib. ib. 299 ib. ib, ib. 300 ib. 301 DIRECTIONS TO THE BINDER. General View of Dublin to face Title. North side of Dublin Castle Garden front of ditto Marine School Provost’s House, Trinity College, p.67 North front of the Royal Exchange Section of the Royal Exchange from East to West The Custom-House, The Prison of Newgate - 75 Cathedral of Christ Church Stevens's Hospital Lying-in-Hospital East front of the Blue-ooat Hospital 81 St. Patrick’s Cathedral St. Catherine’s Church St. Thomas’s ditto Marquis of Waterford’s Hnrse 86 S*. George’s Church St. Werburgh’s Church Prior’s Monument Nelson’s Pillar 95 Metropolitan R. Catholic Chapel New H .rbour of H nvth Sir Patrick Dun’s Hospital Royal Cnarter Sohool, Ciontarf 147 Tholsel as it stood in 1806 Maynooth College Dining-hall , Foundling-hospital Queen’s Bridge 159 Four Courts Parliament House in 1800 House of Commons in do. General Post Office 177 Trinity College East side of the Principal Square of ditto Theatre in Trinity College National Banlo 197 Front View of the Feinaiglian In- stitution, Luxembourg 207 Back View of ditto *10 Royal Dublin Society House v Stamp Office Earl of Charlemont’s House Statue of King William III. 216 Home’s Royal Arcade Grand Promenade Presbyterian Church, Strand-st. Morrison’s Hotel, Dawson-street 302 Barrack and Queen’s Bridges Grand Canal Hotel and Portobello Hu’bour Foster Aqueduct and Royal Canal House Sarah Bridge 295 New Iron Bridge Essex Bridge Earl of Kildare’s Monument LordBowes’s do s 316 Plan of Dublin, at the end. PICTURE OF DUBLIN, Brief History of Dublin. The labour and research of antiquarians to eluci- date the remote History of Ireland, have, perhaps, been attended with less fruit than similar enquiries into the ancient history of any other European nation. This may, at the first view, appear attributable to a deficiency of learning amongst the aborigines of this country, and the state of barbarism in which they are supposed to have been sunk. But, authorities of the most unquestionable nature, prove those con- jectures to have been erroneous. On the contrary, it is well ascertained, that Christianity was planted in Ireland at a very early period; and that, for some centuries, her seminaries of learning became so fa mous, that the youth of the various nations of Europe were sent to be educated in them. The darkest pe- riod of Irish history, was, probably, from the inva- sion of the Danes in the ninth to the commencement of the 16 th century; and, it is no unreasonable hypothe- sis to suppose, that amidst the distractions of foreign in- vasion and civil convulsions, those scanty records of her o PICTURE OF DUBLIN. former greatness, which, previous to the discovery of printing, could only be found in the archives of the Monks, or the academies of the learned, fell a prey to the barbarism or jealousy of her ruthless invaders. The difficulty of . tracing, with any degree of accu- racy, the origin of the Irish metropolis, must, from this paucity of materials, be felt in its full force. We find the earliest authentic account of it in the writings of Ptolemy, who flourished about the year 140, in the reign of Antoninus Pius, He dignified it even then with the name of a city, calling it Eblana Civitas; or, as some suppose it should have been rendered D eb- lana Civitas , a mistake very natural to a foreigner having, in all probability, occasioned the excision of the letter D. This is further supposed to have been a corruption of two Irish words, dubh, (black,) and linn, (a pool of water,) the bed of the Liffey at this place, having been boggy, and consequently the water black. The Irish, to this day, call it JBallagh-Ath - Cliath, which means, a passage over a ford of hurdles ; for, before the city was quaycd in, the people had ac- cess to it by means of hurdles, placed on the marshy parts adjoining the water. The Irish historians speak of many battles having been fought for the possession of Dublin, about the year 177, between Con Cead- catliach, king of Ireland, and Moghad Nuagad, king of Munster, which terminated in the death of the latter. Before the English invasion, Ireland was divided into petty principalities. Four provincial kings ruled the provinces of Munster, Leinster, Ulster, and Con- naught ; but all acknowledged the authority of a su- preme monarch, who, in former ages, kept his court , at Tarah, in Meath, which was a province appropri- ated to support the dignity of the sovereign. Some part of the fifth century is the period generally as- signed for the conversion of the Irish to Christianity. We are told that, in the year 448, Alphin Me Eochaid, PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 3 king of Dublin, and his subjects, were induced to embrace the Christian faith, by the preaching of St. Patrick, who is said to have baptized them at a fountain, from this circumstance called St. Patrick’s well, near the place where the church dedicated to him, was after- wards erected. There is good reason to believe, that the Ostmen, or Danes, were in the habit of visiting Ireland for sonde centuries previous to their making a permanent settlement in the country. The black-book of Christ Church states, that the arches or vaults under that edifice, were built by the Ostmen merchants, as a de- pository for their wares ; and, that St. Patrick per- formed divine service in one of them, which is to this day called the vault of St. Patrick. It was not till the ninth century that the Danes acquired a permanent settlement in the island. In the year 838 they en- tered the Liffey with a fleet of sixty sail, when Dub- lin submitted to them for the first time. They imme- diately erected a strong rath or fort, for the purpose of keeping the inhabitants in awe, and, soon after, ex- tended their conquests in different directions. But the invaders were, in the year 845, driven out of Dub- lin ; Turgesius, their principal leader, being slain in battle. Undismayed, however, by the failure of their first attempt, they returned with accumulated force, and under the guidance of three brothers, named Am- lave, or Aulaffe, Yvorus, and Sitricus, they seized and fortified the cities of Dublin, Waterford, and Lime- rick. For more than three centuries, the Ostmen re- tained possession of their conquests, during which time, twenty -five kings of that race reigned in Dublin. The annals of this period afford little but accounts of acts of barbarity, or bloody conflicts fought between the native Irish and these invaders, the most memo- rable of them were the battles of Tarah and Clontarf. In the former, which occurred in 980, Melaghlin, king of Ireland, routed the Ostmen with immense 4 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. slaughter. Most of their leaders fell, including Re- ginald, the son of king Aulaffe ; and the latter soon after died of grief. The battle of Clontarf was fought on the 23d of April, 1014, between Brien Boiromhe, king of Ireland, and the Ostmen of Dublin, under their king Sitric. The victory was complete on the part of the Irish, though king Brien, with his son and grandson, the flower of the nobility of Munster and Connaught, with many thousand brave soldiers, fell in the conflict. From this period, the Danes seem never to have recovered their former consequence, but they were not finally expelled till the arrival of the English. It was near a century after their first land- ing in Ireland, that the Danes embraced Christianity, and they soon manifested great zeal in the cause, by erecting numerous abbies and churches; the cathedral of Christ Church in Dublin, with those of Waterford and .Limerick, are said to have been founded by them. The invasion of the English, which has been at- tended with such important consequences to this coun- try, took place in the year 1169. Henry IT. had long meditated the reduction of Ireland, in consequence of the frequent aids sent from thence to France; and hav- ing obtained a bull from Pope Adrian, licensing the attempt, he only waited for a favorable opportunity to put his designs in execution. An event occurred in the year 1167, which paved the way for the full accom- plishment of his wishes ; Dermod Mac Murrough, having carried off Derevorgill, the wife of O’Rourk, king of Brefine, in Connaught, (some writers say by force, but, according to others, with her own consent,) Roderick O’Connor, who was, at that time, acknow- ledged as supreme monarch, espoused the quarrel of the injured husband. Dermod, after several defeats, being abandoned by his subjects, determined to seek for foreign aid. He, accordingly, sailed with a few attendants for England, from whence he passed over into France, and found Henry in Acquitaine, where PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 5 he was, at that time, carrying on his conquests. Sq anxious was Dermod to obtain vengeance on his ene mies, that he offered, if Henry would assist him in the enterprize, to swear fealty to him, and faithfully to serve him during his life. The king of England was, however, too deeply engaged in the French war, to grant him for the present any effectual assistance ; but having taken an oath of allegiance from him, he granted him letters patent, which permitted his sub- jects to assist the exiled king in the recovery of his dominions. Having thus far succeeded, Dermod returned to England, and resided for some time at Bristol, where he published the kings letters. Here he met Richard de Clare Earl of Strigul and Pembroke, who from his skill in archery, was generally called Strongbow. He was a man of high birth, and great abilities and cou- rage ; but his profuse mode of living; had reduced him to many embarrassments. Under such circumstances he listened with a willing ear to the proposals made by Dermod, who covenanted, should he assist him in the recovery of his dominions, to give him his daugh- ter in marriage, with the reversion of the king- dom of Leinster. But he deemed it necessary to wait for king Henry’s special license before he could openly engage in the undertaking. In the mean time Dermod returned to Ireland, and lived during the winter concealed with the monks at Ferns, in the county of Wexford. On his passage through Wales, he secured the favour of Rys ap Griffin, prince of that country, and through him, engaged the assistance of Robert Fitz Stephen, con- stable of Wales, and his brother Maurice, to whom and their heirs for ever, he agreed to give the town of Wexford with two cantreds of land, as a reward for their services. The tardiness of Henry’s license de- taining Earl Strongbow longer than he expected, Der- mod, impatient of delay, despatched Maurice Regan, b 2 6 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. one of liis chief counsellors, into Wales, by whom he made large promises to all who should assist him in his projected enterprize. The summons was shortly obeyed by Robert Fitz Stephen, wFo raised a force of thirty knights, or gentlemen at arms, chiefly from among his own kinsmen, sixty esquires, and three hundred archers and footmen. To these were added one hundred and forty men under Maurice Fitz- gerald, besides a few hundred more under Hervey of Mount Maurice, Prendergast, Barry, Fitz Henry, and Fitz David. With this small force, which, in the whole, did not exceed one thousand men, Fitz Ste- phen landed at Bannow Bay, not far from Wexford, in May, 1169. He was soon joined by Dermod, and his natural son Donald Kavanagh, with a body of troops. Their united force quickly reduced Wexford, and compelled the king of Ossory, with the Phelans and O’Tooles to submission. Encouraged by these successes, Dermod determined to besiege Dublin. Having, therefore, left Fitz Stephen, with a small body of men, to defend Wexford, he marched with his remaining force to Dublin, which submitted with- out a struggle, and swore fealty to him. The Danish king Asculph was continued in the government of the city. The successful progress of his arms now inspired the king of Leinster with the determination of aiming at the supreme monarchy of Ireland, which had been enjoyed by some of his progenitors. But he was con- scious of being unequal to the attempt without the as- sistance of Earl Strongbow, which had been so long delayed. He therefore renewed his solicitations to the Earl, who, encouraged by the successes of the small body of his countrymen, which had previously landed in Ireland, determined, at length, to fulfil his engagements. But he first repaired to France, where he obtained from king Henry, what he construed into a license for the enterprize, and on his return, he des- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 7 patched Raymond le Gross and William Fitz Gerald in May, 1170, with about 130 soldiers of different des- criptions, and a promise of his speedy arrival with a large reinforcement. This small force landed at Dun- devil about eight miles from Waterford, where Ray- mond entrenched himself, and maintained his ground till the arrival of Strongbow on the 21st of August, with upwards of 1000 men. Srongbow now laid siege to the city of Waterford, which he entered on the 23d, after being twice re- pulsed. He was met in this place by king Dermod, who fulfilled his engagement by giving him his daugh- ter Eva in marriage, and declaring them his immediate heirs. Dublin having again revolted, the confederates re- solved to chastise the citizens in an exemplary man- ner; but Roderick O'Connor, king of Connaught and monarch of Ireland, had, in the mean time, raised an army of 30,000 men, for the purpose of impeding their progress. He encamped with his main body at Clon- dalkin, guarding at the same time all the passes in the mountains. The army of the confederates did not amount to one-third of their number, but notwithstand- ing tills great inequality, the latter conceived that drawing back would, at this juncture, be the ruin of their cause. They accordingly proceeded in the fol- lowing order. — Miles Cogan, an officer of extraordi- nary valour, commanded the van -guard of 700 men, which was supported by a strong body of Irish, under Donald Kavenagh, natural son to king Dermod. — Raymond le Gross led on a regiment of 800 English, supported by king Dermod, and Earl Strongbow was in the rear with 3000 English, assisted by a consider- able body of Irish troops. Appalled by the orderly march of the allies, Roderick abandoned the field without a struggle, and leaving Dublin to its fate, dis- solved his army. A summons was now sent to the town by Maurice 8 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. Regan, and thirty hostages were demanded ; but some delay occurring about the choice of the hostages, Miles de Cogan attacked the place without orders, and car- ried it with great slaughter. Prince Asculph and many of the Ostmen citizens escaped to their shipping, leaving a great booty to the conquerors ; and on the same day (the 21st of September,) king Dermod and earl Strongbow made their public entry into Dublin,, of which Miles de Cogan was constituted the first English governor. Strongbow then turned his arms against O’Rourk, king of B refine, whose country he wasted with fire and sword. But the death of Dermod, which occurred about this time at Ferns, and the jealousy of his mas- ter the king of England, put a check to his victorious ca- reer. Henry, apprehensive that the design of Strongbow was to elevate himself to the rank of an independent sovereign, in right of his wife, confiscated his estate, and published a proclamation forbidding any of his subjects to pass into Ireland, or send any provisions or merchandize there, and commanding all the English to quit that kingdom, upon pain of being considered rebels, losing their estates, and being banished for ever. To appease the wrath of his sovereign, Earl Strongbow sent Raymond le Gross into Acquitaine to assure the king, that the English had no other design than to act in his name, and submit all their conquests to his disposal. Intelligence having been received about the same time, that Roderick O’Connor had invested Dublin witli an army of 60,000 men, Strongbow flew to its relief. The Irish monarch had taken post at Castle- knock and Fingias, while hi ac-Dunl eve, king of Uls- ter, encamped at Clontarf, O’Brien, king of Munster, at Kil main ham, and Moriertach, prince of Kinsellagh, at Dalkey, waiting the arrival of the Danish prince As- culph, who was expected from the Isle of Man and the Orcades, with considerable reinforcements. Tho PICTURE OF DUBLIN. & city was but weakly garrisoned, nevertheless, it sus- tained a siege for two months, when the earl, finding the provisions nearly exhausted, while all hope of suc- cour from England was cut off, called a council, at which he was advised to propose terms of submission to king Roderick, and offer to hold Leinster from him as a feudatory province. Laurence, archbishop of Dub- lin, was sent to Roderick with these terms, but the latter, knowing the straits to which the garrison was re- duced, refused to accept of any terms short of the. complete abandonment of Ireland by Strongbow and all his followers. When these demands were made known to the council, Miles de Cogan, the governor, recommended a sudden sally, which would at this time be particu- larly unexpected. He accordingly put himself at the head of the vanguard of two hundred chosen men — Raymond le Gross followed with two hundred more ; and the rear, consisting of a like number, was led on by Earl Strongbow. The attack on Roderick’s camp was attended with complete success. The onset was so sudden and vigorous, that all fled before them, the king himself escaping with difficulty. Fifteen hun- dred Irish were slain, and many were taken prisoners; while, according to Regan, only one English footman fell on the part of the conquerors. The remainder of the Irish army were so much discouraged by this over- throw, that they abandoned the siege, and the garri- son was abundantly supplied by the provisions found in the camp of the enemy. The danger in this quarter having been thus obviat- ed, the earl marched a part of his forces to the relief t of Fitz- Stephen, who had been for some time besieged in his castle of Carrig, near Wexford; but the succours came too late to save him from surrender, and Strong- bow sailed from Waterford to appease the king. Fie found means to effect this by acknowledging Henry as his sovereign lord, and surrendering to him the cities 10 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. of Dublin and Waterford, with the adjacent cantreds, and the maritime towns of Leinster. The earl was at the same time permitted to hold the remainder of the king and his heirs. While Strongbow was in England, Asculph Mac- Torcall arrived in the harbour of Dublin, with a fleet of sixty sail, having on board 10,000 soldiers. Hoping to surprise the city, he instantly landed his men, and a furious assault was made on the east gate, called St. Mary les Dames, led on by John le Dene, a man 6f great prowess. But the brave governor, Miles de Co- gan, was so well prepared, that five hundred of the enemy were slain in the assault, besides a number that were drowned ; the governor’s brother, Richard de Co- gan, sallying at the same time, out of Pole gate, at the end of Werburgh-street, with three hundred horse, took the efoemy in flank, and completed the victory.— iVbove 2000 of the Ostmen are said to have perished in this engagement, including John le Dene ; and such numbers were slain by the Irish in the pursuit, that not more than one fifth of the whole army reached their ships. Their prince Asculph Mac Torcall, was taken, and afterwards beheaded in sight of his fleet, and thus terminated the power of the Ostmen in Ire- land. Early in the year 1172, Dublin was again besieged by O’Rourk, king of Brefine, but his whole army was routed hy de Cogan, his son and other chieftains being slain. On the 18th of Oct. following king Henry II. ar- rived at Waterford, with a fleet of two hundred and forty , sail. He was accompanied by Earl Strongbow, Wil- liam Fitz-Aldelm, Humphry de Bohun, Hugh de Lacy, Robert Fitz-Bernard, with many other noblemen, 400 knights, and 4000 well-appointed soldiers. Immedi- ately on his landing he received the investiture of the city of Waterford, and Strongbow did him homage for the kingdom of Leinster. The importance of establishing his government in PICTURE OF DUBLIN. II the capital of Leinster, induced the English monarch to repair to Dublin without delay. Having received the investiture from Strongbow according to covenant, and appointed Hugh de Lacy governor, the king marched from thence into Munster, where he received the homage of Dermod Mac Carthy, king of Cork, Do- nald O’Brien, king of Limerick, Donald Mac Gilla- Phaudruick, king of Ossory, O’Phelan, prince of the De- cies, and many other petty chieftains. He held a synod of the clergy at Lismore, and soon after returned to Dub- lin, where he arrived on the 1 1th of Nov. Several princes of Ulster and Connaught now submitted in person, and a commission was appointed, consisting of Hugh do Lacy, and William Fitz-Aldelm to repair to the Shannon, where Roderick O’Connor, monarch of Ire- land, swore allegiance, and gave hostages for his fide- lity. The king of England kept his Christmas in Dublin in great state. As there was at that time no house in the city capable of receiving his retinue, a long pavil- lion was erected near St. Andrew’s church, composed of smooth wattles, according to the fashion of the country, where the Irish princes were entertained with great magnificence ; and during the five months of his residence in Dublin, king Henry, in this way, expend- ed large sums, in order to conciliate the natives. He also held a parliament, granted the laws of England to his new subjects, established courts of justice, and appointed officers for the due administration of the law : and the more firmly to consolidate his new con- quest, he distributed immense territories among his grandees ; namely, to Earl Strongbow he gave all Leinster, excepting certain portions of land, some ma- ritime towns and castles : to Hugh de Lacy, the king- dom of Meath ; to John de Courcy all Ulster, if he could conquer it ; to Robert Fitz-Stephen and Miles de Cogan the kingdom of Cork ; and to Philip de Braos or Bruse, the kingdom of Limerick. 12 PICTURE OF DUBLIN* His claims to the sovereignty of Ireland having re- ceived the sanction of Popes Adrian and Alexander, and his authority having been generally acknowledged, not only by the chieftains but also by the synods of the clergy at Lismore and Cashel, Henry now prepar- ed to return to England. A plague and scarcity which prevailed in Ireland, together with the rebellion of his son, caused him to hasten his departure, and he em- barked at Wexford on Easter Monday, 1173, having no man of note in his company but Miles de Cogam — He had previously granted a charter to the city of Dublin, and encouraged a colony from Bristol to settle there. After the departure of Henry a desultory warfare was carried on between the new settlers and the na- tives, attended with various success. In 1175, an ex- pedition which marched from Waterford under Earl Strongbow against the Irish near Cashel, was frustrated by Donald, prince of Ossory, who slew four hundred of the citizens of Dublin. This victory so elevated the spirits of the natives, that Roderick O'Connor pass- ing the Shannon, devastated the country to the walls of the capital. Strongbow died two years after, (1177) and was buried in Christ church, and about the same period the Pope's legate held a synod in Dublin, at which he denounced excommunication against all who should withdraw their allegiance from the king of Eng- land. In 1185, Henry appointed his son, John Earl of Moreton, governor or lord of Ireland, where he con- tinued a considerable time ; but his conduct and that of his Norman courtiers 1 ended greatly to alienate the af- fections of the natives. Hugh de Lacy, the first go- vernor appointed by King Henry, was murdered at Durrow, in the Queen's county, in 1-186. In 1190, great part of Dublin was consumed by fire, and in the same year St. Patrick’s cathedral was built on the site of the old parochial church by Archbishop Comyra PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 13 John succeeding to the crown of England, on the death of his brother Richard I. took some effectual steps to secure his authority in Ireland. In 1204 he gave orders to Myler Fitz-Henry, the lord justice, to erect a castle in Dublin ; and in the year 1210, arriving in Ireland with a great force, he proceeded with considerable vigour in the reformation of the ’ kingdom, dividing it into counties, establishing courts of judicature in Dublin, and appointing judges, circuits, and corporations as in England. On his departure he left the government in the hands of John de Gray, Bishop of Norwich, who, by command of the king, issued a new coinage of equal standard and fineness with that of England. The ounce of silver, at that time was divided into twenty sterling pence. An event occurred on Easter Monday, 1209, which caused that day of the year for ages afterwards to be denominated Black Monday. A number of the citi- zens of Dublin, amusing themselves, (as was their custom during the holy days,) in Cullen’s wood, were suddenly assailed by a body of Irish, who lay in am- bush, and five hundred of them were slain. A fresh colony arriving soon after from Bristol, the necessary means were used to accustom the citizens to martial exercises. They were trained and mustered four times a year, namely, on Easter (or Black) Monday and St. J olinVeve, by the mayor and sheriffs of the city ; and on May -day and St. Peter s-eve by th^ mayor * and sheriffs of the bull-ring. For some cen- * The mayor of the bull-ring was an officer eligible by the citi- zens yearly, to be captain or guardian of the bachelors of the city ; aud during the year of his office, he had authority to punish such as frequented brothel-houses, and the like infamous places. He took his name from an iron-ring in Corn-market, to which the butchers fastened their bulls for baiting ; and when any bachelor-citizen happened to marry, the custom was for the mayor of the bull-ring and his attendants to conduct the bridegroom, upon his return from church, to the ring, and there with a solemn kiss, receive his hom- age and }ast farewell : from whence the new*married. man took 14 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. turies. on Black Monday, the mayor and citizens re- paired to the wood of Cullen, with a black flag before them, in defiance of their enemies, upon which occa- sion a costly dinner was given by the magistrates. In 1216, Henry III. granted the Magna Charta to Ireland, and in the following year, he gave a fee- farm of the city of Dublin to the citizens at two hun- dred marks rent. The Castle of Dublin was completed during this king's reign, by Archbishop Loundres, who died in 1228, and was buried in Christ church. In 1267, great quarrels arose between the archbishop, Fulk de Saundford, and the mayor and citizens, rela- tive to certain offerings claimed by the clergy, during which sentence of excommunication was pronounced against the citizens ; but these differences were com- posed in the following year by the interference of Sir Robert de Ufford, lord justice, and the rights of both parties preserved. The customs paid in Dublin during this king's reign, were three pence for every sack of wool, six pence for every last of hides, and two pence for every barrel of wine. The citizens, granted a voluntary loan to the king of three hundred and sixty- six marks, which was, at that time, esteemed a con* siderable sum. Edward I. in 1287, granted a new charter to the city, and made certain regulations respecting the coin, which were highly beneficial to the kingdom. Owing to the manner of building with wattles and thatch, the city frequently suffered by fire during this reign. — In 1282, High-street was burned. On the 2d of Jan. in the following year, a great part of Dublin became a prey to the devouring element, which did not spare the mayor and sheriffs of the bull-ring home to dinner with him r unless be was poor ; in which case the mayor and his bachelors made a collection, which they gave to him at the ring upon receiv- ing his homage. But this office seems to have been ludicrous, and established merely by custom, without any foundation of authority.. PICTURE OF DUBLIN, 15 the steeple, ehapter-liouse, dormitory, and cloisters of Christ church. St. Werburgh’s church met a similar fate in 1301, and in 1304, Bridge-street, the quay, the church of the Dominicans, and one quarter of Mary’s- abbey were consumed. In the first year of Edward II. (1308,) the chief magistrate of Dublin was honoured with the title of provost in the person of John le Decer. Many in- stances of the bounty and liberality of this worthy magistrate are upon record. He erected, at his own charge, a marble cistern in the streets, to receive wa- ter from the conduit for the benefit of the inhabitants. He built a bridge over the Liflfey near the priory of St. Wolstan’s, erected two chapels to the Virgin Mary, and in a time of scarcity, he raised a vast sum of money to send three ships to France, which returned in two months laden with corn. In 1311, Archbishop Leek made the first attempt to establish an academical body in Ireland. Some incursions of the hostile septs of the Byrnes and O’Tooles were, in 1312, repressed by the vigor- ous conduct of the lord deputy, Sir Edmund Butler, Three years after, Edward Bruce, brother to the king of Scotland, landing with 6000 men at Carrickfergus, took possession of Green-castle ; but the citizens of Dublin sent out a strong party by sea, which soon re- covered it for the king. Bruce, after committing de- predations in various parts of Ireland, went to Scotland for fresh supplies, and returning the following year, was crowned king at Dundalk. After this he marched to Dublin, and encamped at Castleknock. The citi- zens, alarmed at his approach, set fire to Thomas -street, but the flames unfortunately laid hold on St. John’s church without Newgate, which was burned to the ground, with Magdalen chapel and all the suburbs. — Bruce seeing the resolution of the inhabitants, marched westward as far as Limerick, having first rifled St. Mary’s abbey, and St. Patrick’s church. He was slain PICTURE OP DURLtK, m soon afterwards at Dundalk, with 2000 of his men,' by the troops under the command of General Berming-. ham. About this period the steeple of Christ church was blown down by a violent tempest. In 1320, Alex- ander de Bicknor, Archbishop of Dublin, erected an university in St. Patrick's church. In the year 1328, Adam Duff O'Toole was burned in Hoggin (now College) green, having been convicted of blasphemy, in denying the incarnation of Christ and the Trinity in Unity ; and for affirming that the Blessed Virgin Mary was an harlot ; that there was no resurrection, that the scriptures were a mere fable, and that the Apostolical See was an imposture and usurpation. Roger Outlaw, the prior of Kilmainham, was accused of heresy at the same time, but he was honourably acquitted. A great scarcity commenced in Ireland in 1330, - (the third year of Edward the Third) which continued during the two following years, till 1333, when the harvest came in so early, that on the 29th of June, wheat was sold in the market of Dublin at sixpence a bushel. A parliament assembled this year in the con- vent of the Carmelites in Whitefriar-street. A great pestilence raged in Dublin in 1348, which almost depopulated the city, so that 14,000 of the in- habitants are said to have perished from August to Christmas. The greater part of Europe was at this period scourged by this awful visitation, w r hich was supposed to have been. brought from the East, by per- sons returning from the crusades. For more than three centuries after this, Ireland was visited, at intervals, ... by this desolating calamity, the last instance occurring in 1650. Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of King Ed- ward,, was appointed Lord Lieutenant in 1361, being, the first that held that office by patent. The salary of the chief governor was then 5001 per annum. Be- fore this period there was but one judge in the court PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 17 of King’s Bench ; the increase of business rendered it necessary to appoint a second, to whom was allotted the annual fee of forty pounds, with liberty to conti- nue his practice as a lawyer. St. Patrick’s church was burned down on the 6th of April, 1362, through the negligence of the sexton, but it was rebuilt a few years after, and the present steeple added to it by Archbishop Minott. About Michaelmas, 1394, Richard II. landed at Waterford with an army of 34,000 men, and marched to Dublin, where he continued till the ensuing sum- mer, receiving in his progress, the submission of the Irish of Leinster. He is said to have held a parlia- ment in the winter, and redressed many grievances. — Four Irish princes were knighted by him, and he made a grant to the city of one penny from every house, to repair the bridge and the streets. He returned to Eng- land soon after, but in 1399 he made a second voyage to Ireland, and made his solemn entry into Dublin on the 28th of June, where he wa3 nobly entertained by the provost, (Nicholas Finglas) and the citizens. — The arrival, however, of Henry Duke of Lancaster caused him speedily to return to England, where he was soon afterwards deposed and murdered. During the reign of Henry IV. the citizens of Dub- lin became much distinguished for their zealous attach- ment to the English crown, and the valour displayed by them against its enemies. On the 11th of July, 1402, a strong body of them, well armed, marched out under the command of John Drake, their provost, against the O’Briens and other Irish septs, and slew, ^according to some accounts, 4000, but according to others, as many hundreds. For this gallant action Drake was continued in office four successive years. — In 1405, the citizens fitted out a fleet of barks, with which they ravaged the coasts of Scotland and Wales, these countries being then in arms against the English king. They also defeated the Irish in several subse- 18 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. quent actions, and for all these services, Henry IV. in 1409, conferred upon Thomas Cusack, the provost, and his successors, tine title of mayor, and granted his licence, that! a gilded sword should be bo?ne before them for ever, in the same manner as the mayors of London had it borne before them. King Henry V. landed at Clontarf, near Dublin, in 1413, but nothing is recorded of his proceedings in this country. No political event of importance oc- curred in his reign or that of his successors, till the time of Henry VII. In 1428, the Old Bridge was re-built by the Dominican friars for the convenience of their school at Usher s Island, and a lay brother of the order received at the bridge a penny, for every carriage and beast of burthen passing over it. In 1461, a violent tempest threw down the ^reat east window of Christ church, the stones of which broke to pieces many chests and coffers in which the jewels, reliques, ornaments and vestments of the altar, with the deeds, and muniments of the church were deposited, and the foundation charter of Henry II. and others were so lacerated, that the former was no longer legible. The attachment of the citizens of Dublin to the house of York, caused them, soon after the accession of Henry VII. to become the dupes of the famous imposture respecting Lambert Simnel, who counter- feited the person of the young Earl of Warwick, son to the Duke of Clarence. He made his first appear- ance in Ireland as heir to the throne ; and in 1486, the gecond year of Henry's reign, he was crowned king in Christ church, by the name of Edward VI. Gerald Earl of Kildare, lord deputy, the lords of the council, the archbishop and clergy, and the mayor and citizens attending. Simnel returning to England soon after, was joined by Lord Lovel, the Earl of Lincoln, and several other persons of distinction, with a numerous army. But the rebels being defeated at the battle of Stoke, with the loss of 4000 men, Sim- PICTURE OF DUBLIN.* 19 nel was taken prisoner, and spent the remainder of his days as a menial servant to the king. The mayor and citizens apologized in the following year for their misconduct, and the conciliating policy of Henry in- duced him to remit the punishment Though the im- postor Perkin Warbeck also made his appearance in Ireland, yet he did not obtain equal attention, and he was afterwards hanged at Tyburn. The first fire-arms were brought to Dublin from Germany, in 1489, as a present to the Earl of Kil- dare, lord deputy. In 1497, a great dearth prevailed throughout Ireland, notwithstanding which, a .peek of wheat, containing four English bushels, sold in Dub- lin for ten shillings. In 1504, the Lord Deputy Kildare marched out of Dublin, at the head of a large body of well-armed ci- tizens, to oppose a confederacy entered into by Burke of Clanrickard, O'Brien of Thomond, O' Carroll, and several others of the old Irish chieftains. Being joined by the whole power of the pale, and several Irish lords, he came up with the enemy on the 19th of August, at Knocktuagh, near Galway, not far from the spot where the famous battle of Aghrim was after- wards fought. After a contest which long continued doubtful, victory declared for the lord deputy. Above 4000 of the enemy are said to have fallen in the ac- tion, and great numbers were taken prisoners. King Henry VIII. was proclaimed in Dublin in the month of May, 1509. Hollingshed relates an occurrence that took place in the third year of his reign, which gave rise to a singular custom. Great animosities prevailing between Gerald, Earl of Kildare, the lord deputy, and James Butler, Earl of Ormond, the latter marched to Dublin at the head of a consi- derable force. Under pretence of conciliating their differences, they met in Patrick's Church, the citizens guarding the lord deputy ; but a quarrel ensuing be- tween them and a part of Ormond's army, the former 20 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. discharged a volley of arrows, some of which stuck in the images in the rood loft. A complaint was made of this profanation to the pope, and a legate being sent to make enquiry into it, the citizens were absolved on condition, that in detestation of the fact, and to keep up the memory of it for ever, the mayor of Dublin should walk barefoot through the city, in open pro- cession before the sacrament, on Corpus Christi day yearly. This custom was observed until the time of the reformation. The valour and loyalty of the citizens of Dublin were distinguished in the early part of this reign, in several rencontres with the Irish chieftains, who kept up a predatory warfare on the borders of the pale. The sweating sicfaiess, which had proved so fatal in England, visited Ireland in 1528, and carried off the archbishop, the lord chancellor, and many eminent citizens of Dublin. Plays were acted in the same year for the first time before Pierce Butler, Earl of Ossory, on Hoggin-green, now called College-green. The Earl of Kildare, who filled the office of lord deputy, in 1534, having been summoned to England to answer for some alleged misconduct, a report was soon after spread that he was beheaded. Enraged at this intelligence, his son, Thomas, Lord Offaley, who hae been left lord deputy, in bis father s room, deter- - mined on open rebellion. He rode through the city at the head of sevenscore horsemen, in shirts of mail, with silken fringes about their head-pieces, and passr ing through DameVgate, went over the ford of the river to Mary’s-abbey, where, surrendering up the sword to the council, he bid defiance to the king and his ministers. The council - incited the citizens to seize Fitz-Gerald, but they, either through attachment to his family or from their own weakness, (the city hav- ing been lately much depopulated by the plague,) con- tinued for some time inactive. Fitz-G erald, soon after this, asked pei mission to march: PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 21 through the city, in order to lay siege to the castle, promising that his soldiers should not injure any of the inhabitants. Having first despatched one of their al- dermen (Francis Herbert) to England, to know the king s pleasure, they consulted the constable of the castle, who, anxious to preserve the safety of the city, consented to the demand, provided he was suf- ficiently provided with men and provisions to withstand a siege. This was chearfully complied with, and, be- sides a great quantity of provisions furnished by the eity at large, Alderman John Fitz-Simmons sent in upon his own account, twenty tuns of wine, twenty- four tuns of beer, two thousand dried ling, sixteen hogsheads of powdered beef, twenty chambers for mines, and an iron chain for the draw-bridge. Having taken these precautions, Fitz-Gerald’s de- mands were agreed to^ and he accordingly sent in six hundred men, who planted two or three pieces of ar- tillery opposite the castle-gate, intrenched themselves, and to frighten the constable into a surrender, they threatened to place the youth of the city on the tops of the trenches, as marks at which tne garrison would be unwilling to aim. This was justly considered by the citizens as a perfidious breach of treaty ; and their messenger, Herbert, returning at the same time with promises of assistance from England, they resolved to stand upon their defence, and secure, if possible, the traitors within the walls. They accordingly proclaim- ed an open breach of truce, and shut the gates. See- ing these precautions, those w T ho had entered the city, attempted to escape by fording the river, but the great- er part were taken prisoners. Intelligence of these events having been transmitted to Fitz-Gerald, who was at this time ravaging the county of Kilkenny, he returned with great haste to Dublin, seizing on his way the children of several of the citizens, who were at school in the country ; by this means hoping to compel the inhabitants "to a compromise. But this 22 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. device failing, lie resolved to distress tliem by cutting off the pipes which supplied the city with water, and laid siege to the castle in Sheep (now Ship) street. Being, however, speedily driven from this quarter by the ordnance of the castle, he removed to Thomas - street, and attempted to enter the city by Newgate; but the valour of the defenders obliged the enemy to fly, after 100 of their number were slain. Fitz -Gerald, soon after this, having offered terms which were deemed inadmissible, was forced to raise the siege. King Hemy was so pleased with the conduct of the citizens upon this occasion, that he granted them a considerable estate in the counties of Dublin, Meath, Louth, Kildare, Tipperary, and Kilkenny, which had belonged to the dissolved monastery of All-Hallows, near Dublin, besides many other important privileges. George Brown, an Augustine friar, was consecrated archbishop of Dublin, in 1535. He was the first of the Irish clergy, who renounced the pope's supremacy, and acknowledged that of the king. He removed all images and reliques out of the different churches, and placed in their room, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments in gilt frames. The kings of England had hitherto been denomi- nated lords of Ireland, but in the year 1541 the Irish parliament conferred the title of king on Henry and his successors. This parliament made the crimes of wilful murder and rape capital offences. They also enacted some statutes, which, at the present day, must appear extremely curious. By one of these, noblemen were not allowed more than twenty cubits or bandies of linen in their shiits ; and by another, the natives were forbidden to dye their shirts of a saffron colour, which had been their usual custom. The beginning of the reign of Edward VI. was marked by some inroads of the disaffected in the neigh- bourhood of Dublin, but these attempts were speedily repressed by the valour and activity of Sir Anthony PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 23 St. Leger, the lord deputy, and the city militia. In 1548, King Edward conferred the title of sheriffs on the two bailiffs, John Ryan and Thomas Fining and their successors. On Easter Sunday, 1550, the English liturgy was read, for the first time in Christ church, and it was printed in the following year by Humphrey Powel. This is said to have been the first book printed in Ireland. The printing of the bible soon followed. The accession of Mary, however, put an end, for a season, to the progress of the Re- formation. In 1555, Patrick Sarsfield, the mayor, aided by the citizens, began to enclose the place that contains the head of water running through the city.* In 1556, the * The character of this worthy magistrate is so humorously drawn by .Stanihurst, and so descriptive of the manners and hospi- tality of thfe time in which he lived, that we expect our readers will be pleased to see it in its original dress : “ The hospitalitie of the maior and the sheriflfes for the year be- ing, is so large and bountifull, that soothlie (London forepriced) verie few such officers under the orowne of England, keepe so great a port, none I am sure greater. The maior, over the number of officera that take their dailie repast at his table, keepeth for his yeare in manner open house. And albeit in tearme time his house is frequented as well of the nobilitie as of other potemats of great calling:, yet his ordinarie is so good, that a verie few set feasts are provided for them. They that spend least in their maioraltie (as those of credit, yea, and such as bare the office, have informed me $ ) make an ordinarie account of five hundred pounds for their viand and diet that yeare, which is no small summe to be bestowed ia housekeeping, namelie, where vittels are so good cheape, and the presents of friends diverse and sundrie. “ There hath been of late yeare, a worshipful gentleman named Patrick Searsfield, that bare the office of the maioraltie in Dublin, who kept so great port in his yeare (1554) as his hospitalitie to his fame and renowue restetb as yet in full memorie. One of his es- pecial 1 and entire friends, entering in communication with the gentleman, his years being well neere expired, mcoved creation, to what he thought his expenses all that yeare amounted ? Trulie, James, (so his friend was named) quoth Master Searsefleld, I take between me and God, when I entered into my office, the last Saint Hierome his day (which is the morrow of Miehaelmasse, on which day the maior taketh his oih before the chief baron, at the excheker 24 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. citizens of Dublin attacked and defeated a large body of outlaws who had invaded and plundered the south- within the castell of Dublin) I had three barnes well stored and thwackt wilh come, and I assured myselfe that anieone of these three had been sufficient to have stored mine bouse with bread, ale, and b^ere for this yeare. And now God and good companie be thanked, I stand in doubt whether I shall rub out my maioraltie with my third barne. which is well nighe with my yeare ended. And yet nothing smiteth me so much at the heart, as that the knot of good fellows that you see here (he meant the sergeants and officers) are reddie to flit from me, and make their next yeares abode with the next maior. “ And certis I am so much wedded to good fellowship, as if I could raaintaine my house to my contentation with defraiing of five hundred pounds yearlie, I would make humble sute to the citizens to be their officer these three yeares to come. Over this, he did at the same time protest, that he spent that yeare in housekeeping twenty tuns of claret wine, over and above white wine, sacke, malmsie, muscadell, riod of almost uninterrupted tranquillity in the capital of Ireland ; so that nothing remains but to notice in chronological order, a few remarkable events, and the foundation of those numerous institutions, which re<* fleet so much credit on the Irish metropolis. Reign of Queen Anne . A. D. 1704 The first stone of the City Work-house laid at the west end of St. James's-street, by Mary Duchess of Ormond. The Interest of money reduced from ten to eight per cent, Foundation of the Royal Barracks laid. 1707 Foundation of the Old Custom-House laidiu Essex-street. • A shock of an earthquake was felt in Dublin on the 7th of October in this year, c 3 34 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. A. D. 1711 The Council Chamber, Treasury, &c. situated in Essex-street, were destroyed by fire, and many valuable records burnt. George /. 1720 The foundation of Stevens's Hospital, near James’s-street was laid. 1722 A statue of King George I. was erected on Es- sex-bridge. It has since been removed to the Mayoralty House in Dawson street. 1725 The Market House in Thomas-street was built. George ’//. 1728 The Linen Hall opened. — The Charitable Infirmary established on the Inns' -quay. It has since been removed to J ervis-street. 1729 The Parliament sat at the Blue-coat Hospital near Queen-street. The foundation of the Parliament House was laid in College-green. It was completed in ten years, and cost 40,0001. In the same year, the foundation of Mark's Church in Townsend-street was laid : the North- Wall, Bridewell, and Ringsend-bridge were built ; and linen scarfs first used at fu- nerals. 1332 The College Library finished. 1733 Burying in woollen shrouds first introduced. 1734 Mercer's Hospital built. 1739 Foundation of the College Steeple laid. An intense frost commenced this year on the 29th of December, which continued till the 8th of February, 1740. The Liffey was frozen over, and famine and pestilence ensued. 1745 Swift's Hospital founded. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 3 5 A. D. 1746 The circumference of Dublin was seven miles and three quarters. George II. granted 5001. to the Dublin Society. 1747 A marble pillar erected in the Phoenix Park by the Earl of Chesterfield, Lord Lieutenant. 1748 South Wall begun. 1749 The Dublin Society incorporated ; and the spire erected on St. Patrick’s steeple. A man named Collier died in the Earl of Meath’s Liberty, aged 137 years. 1751 Foundation of the Lying-in-Hospital laid in Great Britain -street. 1752 The Style changed. 1753 The foundation of Essex-bridge laid. It was finished in three years, and cost 20,6611. 11s. 4dv — — The Hospital for Incurables on Lazer’s-hill, and St. Nicholas’s Hospital in Francis-street open- ed. It was ascertained that 4000 houses had been built in Dublin since 1711, giving, at eight persons to a house, an increase to the popula- tion of 32,000. 1754 St. Werburgh’s Church burnt'. 1758 Statue of George II. erected in Stephen’s-green. Foundation laid of St. Thomas’s Church, in Marlborough-street. New Theatre in Crow-street opened. 1759 The new front of Trinity College finished. 1760 Catherine’s Church in Thomas-street founded. George III. 1761 The foundation of the Light-house* in Poolbeg laid. 1764 The Queen’s Bridge begun. 1765 The Grand Canal commenced ; and the Hiber nian Society for maintaining, educating, &c\ the children of soldiers instituted. 36 PICTURE OF DUBLIN, A. D. 1766 The Hibernian Marine Society instituted. 1767 The Magdalen House in Leeson-street opened. 1768 The duration of Parliament limited to eight years. 1769 The foundation of the Royal Exchange laid on Cork-hill. 1770 Meath Hospital on the Coombe founded. 1772 The Governors of the Foundling Hospital and Work House incorporated. 1773 The foundations of the new Blue-coat Hospital in Oxmantown-green, and of the new Gaol in Green-street, were laid ; St. John’s Church in Fishamble-street was rebuilt, and the House of Industry in Channel-row, (now Bruns- wick-street,) was opened. 1775 The foundation of the new Four Courts Mar- shalsea was laid, and Bermingham Tower re- built. 1776 The King’s Inns founded. 1777 The City and suburbs of Dublin were ascer- tained to contain seventeen thousand one hun* dred and fifty-one houses, which, allowing eight souls to a house, gave a population of one hundred and thirty-seven thousand, two hun- dred and eight. 1778 The Charitable Musical Society was incorpo- rated. In the same year, the first regiment of Dublin volunteers was formed under the command of his Grace the Duke of Leinster. 1779 A Free Trade granted. 1780 The first Irish State Lottery was drawn at the Music Hall in Fishamble-street. In the same year Simpson’s Hospital for decayed, blind and gouty men, was incorporated. 1781 The foundation of the New Custom House was laid on the North Wall. It was opened in 179L PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 37 A. D. 1782 The Parliament of Ireland voted its indepen- dence. On the 16th of February, the green- room at the Music Hall fell, by which seve- ral persons Were killed or maimed. 1783 The Order of the Knights of St. Patrick was instituted. The independence of Ireland was established. The Bank of Ireland was opened in St. Mary’s-abbey. A severe frost com- menced on the 25th of December, which continued till the 21st of February following. 1784 An additional judge to each court was appoint- ed : the Habeas Corpus Act passed : the As- sembly Rooms in Rutland square founded : the General Post Office established : and the first stone of the Bethesda chapel and charity laid. 1785 The first Air-Balloon ascended from Ranelagh- gardens. 1786 The foundation stone of the new Four Courts was laid on the Inns'-quay. The Royal Irish Academy was incorporated by letters patent, and a police was established in the city of Dublin. 1787 The Lord Lieutenant, his Grace the Duke of Rutland, died in his government ; the first stone of the Military Infirmary in the Phoenix Park was laid, and the new Theatre of Tri- nity College opened for the public examina- tion of fellowships. 1788 The inhabitants of Ireland computed by G. P. Bushe, Esq. at 4,040,000 souls. 1789 The Parliament of Ireland sent deputies to the Prince of Wales, offering him the Regency (the King being ill) without restriction. The Royal Canal Company was this year incor- porated. 38 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. A. D. 1790 The foundation of Westmoreland-bridge and lock on the Royal Canal, was laid by the Earl of Westmoreland, Lord Lieutenant, 1791 The foundation stones of Sarah’s-bridge, Car- lisle-bridge, and the new House of Industry, were laid : the Apothecaries' Hall established; and the first steam-engine erected by Henry J ackson. 1792 The House of Commons was partly destroyed by fire. The Female Orphan-house on the Circular -road was founded, and the first stone of the Sessions-house in Green-street laid. 1793 An act passed for the relief of the Roman Ca- tholics of Ireland. 1794 A participation of the East India trade granted to Ireland. 1795 Stamp-duty Act passed. 1796 The Grand Canal, floating and graving docks, were opened. The first meeting, of the city armed association took place in William-street; and the first stone of the Commercial Build- ings- was laid. 1798 A rebellion broke out in Ireland, which conti- nued several months. Sir Patrick Dun’s Hos- pital founded. 1800 The Irish Parliament assented to a legislative Union with Great Britain. 1801 (Jan. 1.) The Imperial United Standard was first displayed on Bedford Tower. The Fever Hbspital in Brown-street, and the Peniten- tiary for. the Reform of young Criminals, were opened. 1802 Tim Parliament House sold to the Directors of the Bank of Ireland for the purpose of a Na- tional Bank. The House of Recovery in Cork-street founded,, and roofed in in six months. A dreadful inundation on the 2d of PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 39 Ar D. 1802 December swept away Ormond and Ringsend bridges, and overflowed several parts of the city. 1803 (July 23.) An insurrection broke out in Tho- mas-street, under the direction of Mr. Robert Emmet, in which Lord Kilwarden and many others lost their lives. Several of the conspi- rators were afterwards executed. 1805 By an actual Statistical Survey, the population of Dublin was estimated at 182,370. 180G Surgeons’ Hall in Stephen’s 'green founded. — The first stone of the Bedford Asylum, for one thousand poor children of every religious persuasion laid by the Duke of Bedford. 1807 Foundation laid of the new Castle Chapel. The Prince of Wales packet lost at Dunleary point with 300 passengers. 1807 St. Andrew’s Church rebuilt : cost 20,0001. John Talbot Ashenhurst, John Read, and George Warner, Esqrs. Church Wardens. 1808 Foundation Stone of Nelson’s Monument laid by his Grace the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. 1809 Being the Fiftieth anniversary of the accession of King George the Third, was distinguished in Dublin by a Grand Jubilee, which lasted three days. The improvements of Essex-bridge completed, under the direction of the corporation for improving the port of Dublin. 1812 Richmond Basin, Portobello, opened for supply- ing the South-side of the City with water. 1813 The Rt. Hon. Abraham B. King, Lord Mayor, visits London, and presents the Petition of the Protestants at the Bar of the House of Commons ; thereby establishing the right of this City to the privilege, in common with 40 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. A. D. 1813 London, of presenting Petitions, through its Chief Magistrate, to the Imperial Parliament. Foundation-stone of Richmond-bridge laid by her Grace Charlotte, Duchess of Richmond. 1814 Great fall of snow : the streets nearly impassable for three weeks. Subscriptions set on foot by the Rt. Hon. John Cash, Lord Mayor, pro- duced 10,0001. and relieved 66,000 persons. Stove Tenter-house, Size-house and Lodge, near Cork-street, Earl of Meath's Liberty. Foundation stone laid, by Mr. Joshua Pasley, Merchant, and finished within the year. Those buildings were erected by Mr, Thomas Pleasants, for the poor industrious Weavers, at an expense, exceeding 12,0001. Illuminations for the capture of Paris by the Allies, and for the restoration of the Bourbon Family to the French Throne. — — Peace proclaimed with great magnificence in Dublin. Grand celebration of the Centenary of the House of Hanover on the Throne of Great Britain. — Foundation-stone of the New General Post Office, Sackville-street, laid by his Excel- lency the Lord Lieutenant, attended by the Post-Mosters-General, the Rt. Hon. the Earls O'Neill and Ross, Edward S. Lees, Esq. Secretary, and the principal Nobility and Gentry. 1815 The metal Ballustrade of the Royal Exchange fell, owing to the pressure against it of a crowd, by which nine persons lost their lives, and many were severely contused and wounded — — Illuminations in honor of the glorious and ever memorable Victory of Waterloo. The Dublin Society purchased the noble man- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 41 A. D. 1815 sion of the Duke of Leinster. They possess the first Museum of the Mineral Kingdom in Europe, and a fine Museum of the Regnum Animale. 1816 Richmond bridge, completed: built under the direction of the Corporation of the Port of Dublin. Cost, 25,8001, Wellington (Iron) bridge, erected within this year. — — Steam Packets first sailed from the Harbour of Dublin. Foundation-stone of Whitworth-bridge, laid by his Excellency Charles, Earl Whitworth. Subscriptions for the Poor, set on foot by the Rt. Hon. M. Bloxham, Lord Mayor. Amount subscribed 18,8551. 11s. 9|d. 1817 First stone of that great National Work, the Asylum Harbour, Dunleary, laid by his Ex- cellency, Earl Whitworth, Lord Lieutenant, attended by the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Corporation, the Great Officers of State, Nobility and Gentry, &c. This important work was commenced under the direction of the Commissioners, the Rt. Hon. Lord Cas- tlecoote, James Crofton, Richard Verschoyle, Benjamin Kearney, Graves C. Swan, aud Francis Hodgkinson, Esqrs. George Darling, Esq. Secretary, John Rennie, Esq. Engineer. Anniversary of the glorious battle of Waterloo. Foundation-stone of the Wellington Testimo- nial, Phoenix-park, a tribute of national grati- tude, laid by his Excellency Earl Whitworth. This day being appointed for the solemn inter- ment of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, was observed as a day of prayer and humiliation throughout the Empire, and no where more profoundly than in this city 42 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. A. D. 4818 Dublin Infirmary for Curing Diseases of the Skin, opened. Pleasants’s Asylum opened for Protestant Female Orphans — endowed by the late Thomas Plea- sants, Esq. who bequeathed his house in Camden-street, and 12001. per annum for the purpose, (exclusively of a considerable fund, to accumulate for marriage portions*) and he appointed Joshua Pasley, Merchant, the Re- verend Thomas Gamble, and Samuel Coates, Attorney at Law, all of Dublin, Governors for Life. Mendicity Association established in Dublino ANCIENT DUBLIN No City in Europe has increased more in size and magnificence during the last two centuries than the Irish metropolis. Its walls, in 1610, including those of the Castle, did not take up an Irish mile. Com- mencing at the north gate, they were carried to Dame’s gate, which stood upon Cork-hill. They then took a N. N.W. direction to Newman’s tower, on the banks of the river, and were continued along the quays to Bridge-street, up the west side of. which they were carried to Wormwood-gate, at the lower end of New- row. From this gate the walls stretched up a steep hill to Newgate, and were continued thence along the rear of Back-lane to. St.. Nicholas’s-gate, and from thence they were carried at the back of Bride’s-alley to St. Werburgli’s-gate, whence they proceeded in a tolerably straight line till they joined the Castle at Bermingham tower. The walls were connected by towers placed in dif- ferent commanding situations. Isod’s tower stood at Essex-gate, Case’s tower at the foot of Essex-bridge, and Newman’s or Buttevant’s tower, a little to the west- ward of that site. At the end of Fishamble-street stood Proutforte’s or Fyan’s Castle, which was some- times used as a state prison. One placed near New- gate was called the Watch Tower, another called the Hanging Tower, was situated near the corner of the City-market. The Round, or St. Irancis’s Tower, stood opposite the garden of the Franciscan Friary ; and Geneville’s Tower between Nicholas’s-gate and 44 PICTURE OF DUBLIN* Werburgh’s-gate. Some remains of the walls are still to be seen, particularly in Hoey’s-court, Little Ship- street, and other places. Most writers attribute the erection of these fortifica- tions to the Danes ; it is, however, more certain that they were repaired and considerably strengthened by that people in the year 1000. The only streets com- prehended within the walls, were Bridge -street, (at the foot of which was the Old Bridge across the LifFey,) Winetavern-street, Fishambl e-street, Castle-street, Skinner-row, High-street, Cook-street, Nicholas- street, and Werburgh-street, with the adjacent lanes. The south suburbs comprehended Patrick -street, Bride- street, and Ship-street; the west, New-row, Francis- street, Thomas-street and J ames’s-street ; the east. Dame-street, George's-lane, (now South Great George’s- street, and Stephen-street ; and a small village called Hogges stood on the site of St. Andrew’s-street, thence called Hoggin-green, where criminals were usually executed. Crane-lane, Essex-street, Temple-bar, and Fleet-street, was then a strand, only a small part of the river being embanked, till the reign of Charles II. No part of the north side of the Liffey was built at that period, except Church-street, Pill-lane, and Mary’s-lane. Stanihurst, who lived ih the reign of Elizabeth, has left us a curious account of Dublin, and its prin- cipal streets and edifices, from which we shall here, give some extracts : “ Christ church/’ says this writer, “ otherwise named EcclesicB Sanctai Trinitatis, a ca- thedrall church, the ancientest that I can find recorded of all the churches now standing in Dublin. I take it to have been builded, if not in Avellanus’s time, yet soone after by the Danes. The building of which was both repared and enlarged by Chritius prince of Dublin, at the earnest request of Donat the bishop, and soone after the conquest it hath been much beau- tified by Robert Fitz-Stephen and Strongbow the Erie PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 45 of Pembroke, who with his sonne is in the bodie of the church intoomed. The chappell that standeth in the chore commonlie called the new chappell, was builded by Gerald Fitz -Thomas, Erie of Kildare, in the year of our Lord 1520, where he is intoomed. “ Saint Patricke’s church, a cathedrall church, in- dued with notable livings and divers fat benefices. It hath a chapell at the north doore which is called the paroch church. This church was founded by the fa- mous and worthie prelate John Commin, about the year of our Lord 1197. This foundation was greatlie advanced by the liberalitie of king John. There hath risen a great contention betwixt this church and Christ church for antiquitie, wherein doubtl^sse Saint Patricke’s church ought to give place, unlesse they have further matter to shew, and better reasons to build upon than their foundations, in which this church is by manie yeares inferior to the other. Saint Nicholas, Saint Michaell, Saint Verb crosse or Saint Werburgh, so called of a Che- shire virgine. The citizens of Chester founded this church, with two chappells thereto annexed ; the one called Our Ladies’ chappell, the other Saint Martin’s chappell. This church with a great part of the citie was burned in 1301 : but again by xhe parochians re- edified. Saint John the Evangelist, Saint Audeon which is coiruptlie called Saint Ouen or Owen : his feast is solemnized the fourteenth of August. The paroch of this church is accounted the best in Dublin, for that the greater number of the aldermen and the Worships of the citie are demurrant in the paroch. “ Saint Tullocke now profaned. In this church in old time the familie of the Fitz-Simons was for the most part buried. The parish was meared from the Crane-castell, to the Fish-shambles, called the Cock- hill, with PrestonVinnes and the lane thereto adjoin- ing, which scope is now united to Saint John’s paroch. Saint Katherine, Saint Michan or Mighan, Saint 46 PICTURE OF DUBLrN. James ; his feast is celebrated on the live and twentieth of Julie, on which daie in ancient time was there a worthie faire kept at Dublin, continuing six daies, to which resorted divers merchants, as well from England as from France and Flanders. And they afforded their wares so dog-cheape, in respect of the citie merchants, that the countrie was sufficiently stored yeare by yeare by strangers, and the citie merchants not uttering their wares, but to such as had not readie chinkes, and thereupon forced to run upon the score, were verie much impoverished. Wherefore partlie through the canvasing of the towne merchants, and partlie by the winking of the rest of the citizens being wooed upon by manie gaie glosed promises, by plaieing bopeepe to bear themselves overlie in the matter, that famous mart was supprest, and all former saile who] lie abandoned. Yet for a memorial of this notable faire, a few cot- tages, booths and alepoles, are pitched at Saint James's gate. Saint Michaell of Poules alias Paules, Saint Brigide, Saint Kevin's, Saint Peter de monte , or upon the hill, appendant to Saint Patricke's church, Saint Stephen ; this was erected for an liospitall for poore, lame, and impotent lazers, where they abide to this daie, although not in such chast or sincerewise, as the founders will was upon the erection thereof. The maior with his brethren on Saint Stephen's daie (which is one of their station daies) repaireth thither, and doth offer. Saint Andrew now profaned. “The names of the streets, bridges, lanes, and other notorious places in Dublin. “ The Dammes-street, the Castle-street stretching to the pillorie, Saint Verberosse's-street, Saint John- street, alias Fish-shamble-street, Skinners-row reach- ing from the pillorie to the wall, to hold and grapple botes withal. Saint Verberosse's-lane up to Saint Ni- eholas’s-street now inclosed : Saint Michaell's-lane be- ginning at Saint Micliaell's-pipe, Saint John’s-lane, Ram-lane, alias the School-house, Saint Audeon's- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 47 lane, Keyser s-lane. This lane issteepe and slipperie y in which otherwhiles they that make more hast than good speede, chinke their bums to the stones, and the ruder sort, whether it be through corruption of speech, or for that they give it a nickname, commonlie terme it not more homelie than trulie, Iviss-a — lane. Rochell- lane alias Backe-lane, on the south side of the Fish- shambles, the Cooke-street-lane, Frapper-lane, Giglote- hill, Marie-lane, Saint Tullocke's-lane, Scarlet-lane, alias lsoud's-lane, Saint Pulcher s-lane, Saint Kevin's- lane, the Whitefriars-lane, Saint Stephen's-lane, the Hog's-lane, the Sea-lane, Saint George Vlane, where in old time were builded diverse old and ancient monu- ments. And as an insearcher of antiquities may (by the view there to be taken) conjecture, the better part of the suburbs of Dublin should seem to have stretched that waie. But the inhabitants being dailie and Jiourlie molested and preided by their prolling mountaine neighbors, were forced to sutler their buildings to fall in decaie, and embaied themselves within the citie walls. “ Among other monuments there is a .place in that lane called now Collets-innes, which in old times was the Escacar, or Excheker. Which should implie that the prince's court would not have beene kept there, unless the place had been taken to be cocksure. But in fine, it fell out contrarie. For the baron sitting there solemnlie, and as it seemed retchleslie, the Irish espieing the opportunity, rushed into the court in plumps, where surprizing the unweaponed multi- tude, tney committed horrible slaughters by sparing none that came under their dint : and withal as far a* their Scarborough leasure could serve them, they ran- sacked the prince's treasure, upon which mishap the Exchecker was from thence removed. There hath beene also in that lane a chappell, dedicated to Saint George, likelie to have beene founded by some worthie knight of the garter. The maior with his brethren was 48 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. accustomed with great triumphs and pageants yearlie, on Saint George’s day, to repaire to that chappell and there to offer. This chappell hath beene of late razed, and the stones thereof by the consent of the assemblie turned to a common oven, converting the ancient monument of a doutie, adventurous, and liolie knight, to the colerake sweeping of a puf-loafe baker. The great bridge going to Ostmantowne, Saint Nicholas’s bridge, the Poulegate bridge, repaired by Nicholas Stanihurst about the yeare one thousand five hundred forty and foure, the Castill bridge, and Saint J ames’s bridge. “The Castill of Dublin was builded by Henry Loundres (some time Archbishop of Dublin, and lord justice’ of Ireland) about the yeare of our Lord one thousand two hundred and twentie ; this castill hath beside the gate house foure goodlie and substantial! towers, of which one of them is named Bermingliam s tower, whether it were that one of the Berminghams did inlarge .the building thereof, or else that he was longe in duresse in that tower. This castill hath beene of late much beautified with sundrie and gorgeous buildings in the time of Sir Henrie Sidneie, sometimes lord deputie of Ireland. “There standeth neare the castill over against a void roome called Preston’s-innes, a tower, named Isoud’s-tower. It took the name of la Beale Isoud, daughter to Anguish King of Ireland. It seemeth to have been a castell of pleasure for the kings to recre- ate themselves therein. Which was not unlike, con- sidering that a meaner tower might serve such single soule kings as were at those daies in Ireland. There is a village hard by Dublin called of the said la Beale, Chapell Isoud. “ Saint Pulchre’s, the Archbishop of Dublin’s House, as well pleasantlie sited as gorgiouslie builded. Some hold opinion, that the beautifuller part of this house was, of set purpose, fired by an Archbishop, to the PICTURE OP DUBUW, 49 end tlie Governors, (which for the more part laie there, ) should not have a good liking to the house ; not far disagreeing from the policie that I heard a nobleman tell lie used, who, having a surpassing good horse, and such a one as over-ran, in a set race, other choice horses, did bob-tail him upon his return to the stable, least anie of his friends casting a fantasie to the beast, should crave him. The nobleman being so bounti- fullie given, as that of liberalitie, he could not, and of discretion, he would not seeme to give his friend the re- pulse in a more weightie request than that were. “ Saint Stephan's Greene, Hogging Greene, the Steine Ostmantowne Greene. In the further end of this field is there a hole, commonlie called Scaldbro- ther's hole, a labyrinth reaching two whole miles under the earth. This hole was, in old time, frequented by a notorious thiefe, named Scaldbrotlier, wherein he would hide all the bag and baggage that he could pil- fer, The varlet was so swift on foot, as he hath eft- soones out-run the swiftest and lustiest young men in all Ostmantowne, maugr their heads, bearing a pot or pan of theirs on his shoulders to his den. And now and then, in derision of such as pursued him, he would take his course directlie under the gallows, which standeth verie nigh his cave, (a fitt signe for such an inne,) and so being shrowded within his lodge, he reck- oned on himself cocksure, none being found so hardie as would adventure to intangle himself within so in- tricat a maze. But, as the pitcher that goeth often to the water, commeth at length home broken, so this lustie youth would not surcease from open catching, and privie prolling, till time he was, by certaine gap- ing groomes that lay in wait for him, intercepted, See- ing towards his couche, having, on his apprehension, no more wrong done him, than that he was not sooner hanged on that gallows through which, in his youth and jolitie, he was wont to run. “ There standeth in Ostmantowne Green a hillocke D 50 FlOTimE OF DUBLIN. named Little John’s Shot. The occasion proceeded of this : In the year One Thousand One Hundred Four Score and Nine, there ranged three robbers and outlaws in England, among which, Robert Hood and Littlejohn were chieftains, of all thieves doubtlesse the most courteous. Robert Flood being betraied at a nunnerie, in Scotland, called Bricklies, the remnant of the crue was scattered, and every man forced to shifte for himselfe. Whereupon, Littlejohn was faine to flee the realme by sailing into Ireland, where he so- journied for a few daies at Dublin. The citizens be- ing doome to understand the wandering outcast to be an excellent archer, requested him hastilie to trie how far he could shoot at random : who yielding to their behest, stood on the bridge of Dublin, and shot to that mole-hill, leaving behind him a monument, rather by his posteritie to be woondered, than possible by anie man living to be counterscored. But as the repaire of so notorious a champion to anie countrie would soon be published, so his abode could not be long concealed : and therefore to eschew the danger of lawes, he fled into Scotland, where he died at a towne or a village called Morauie. Geraldus Mercator in his cosmogra- phie affirmeth, that in the same towne the bones of an high and mightie man are kept, which was called Lit- tle John, among which bones, the knuckle-bone or hip-bone was of such largenesse as witnesseth Hector Boetius that he thrust his arm through the hole there- of. And the same bone being suited to the other parts of his bodie, did argue the man to have been fourteen foot long, which was a pretty length for a little John. Whereby appeareth, that he was called little John ironicallie, like as we terme him an honest man whom we take for a knave in graine. Neere to the citie of Dublin are the foure anci- ent manors annexed to the crowne, which are named to this daie the king’s land, to wit, Newcastell, Massa- gard, Eschire, and Crumlin. The manor of Crumlin. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 51 paieth a greater cheefe rent to the prince than anie of the other three, which proceeded of this. The senes- chall being offended with the tenants for their misde- meanor, took them up verie sharplie in the court, and with rough and minatorie speeches began to menace them. The lobbish and desperat clobberiousnesse, taking the matter in dudgeon, made no more words, but knock! their seneschall on the costard, and left him there sprallingon the ground for dead. For which detestable murther their rent was inhansed, and they paie to this daie nine pence an acre, which is double to anie of the other three manors.” Having thus followed Stanihurst with respect to the former extent of Dublin, we shall now take notice of the ancient mode of building, and some particulars re- specting the manners and customs of our forefathers. Before the establishment of regular laws for the secu- rity of property, it is reasonable to suppose that tem- porary convenience alone was studied in the erection of their buildings. The houses in Dublin as well as in other places, were consequently, mean and con- temptible. They were constructed with wattles daubed with clay, and covered over with sedge and straw. — The Danes, during their residence, sought rather to render the city defensible than ornamental ; nor did much improvement take place in this respect until the introduction of commerce, with its natural concomi- tants, wealth and politeness. Even before the reign of Queen Elizabeth the citi- zens began to construct their houses in a more durable and convenient manner. They were built with tim- ber in the cage-work fashion, handsomely adorned, and covered with slates, tiles, or shingles. One of these houses which, according to an inscription over the door, was erected in 1580, by John Luttrell, who had been sheriff of Dublin in 1567, was taken down so lately as 1745. Several other houses of the same description were standing at a much later period, par 52 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. ticularly the Carbrie in Skinner-row, which appears from history to have been inhabited by Gerald, Earl of Kildare in 1532. Lime and stone were at this time used only in the erection of castles, towers, churches, and other buildings appropriated to religious or charitable uses. After the suppression of Tyrone’s rebellion in the reign of James I. the inhabitants began to erect their habitations in a more convenient form of stone or brick, and the city has continued from that time progressively to increase both in extent and beauty. Several streets and lanes within the walls have either changed their names or been totally annihilated ; while others have been widened and rendered more elegant and salubri- ous. The good effects resulting from these improve- ments are particularly apparent by the total eradica- tion of that dreadful scourge the plague, which had, in former times, so frequently desolated the metropolis. The increase and improvement of the city without the walls shall be noticed when we come to treat of the modern state of the Irish capital. Riding the Franchises or perambulating the bounds of the city at certain intervals, was formerly conducted by the citizens with great pomp. The earliest instru- ment extant respecting the local franchises of Dublin is one of John Earl of Morton, Lord of Ireland, dated London, in the third year of his brother, King Richard I. which refers to a former charter of Henry II. now lost ; but the liberties of the city were still more clearly ascertained by a charter of Richard II. On the ap- pointed day, the Mayor, Sheriffs, Recorder, and Al- dermen, accompanied by a body of horse, and a great number of the citizens took their way out of J)ames- gate to the strand, (where Essex-street, Fleet-street, and Temple-bar now stand ;) thence they rode along the banks of the river to Ringsend, where one of the water-bailiffs (it being low-water-mark,) was com- manded to ride as far as he could into the sea, and PICTURE OF DUBLIN”. 53 cast a spear, to shew that thus far extended the fran- chises of the south-side of the river and harbour of Dublin. From thence they crossed the strand to the Black-rock, and so westward to the east side of Mer- rion. From thence through Simons court to Miltown and Donnybrook-roads, and from thence to Stephen's- green till they came to the corner house of Kevin’s- port, from whence they proceeded through Bride- street, Bull-alley, Patrick-street and the Coombe, to Crooked -staff. From Crooked-staff they advanced by the water-course, to the west end of Dolphin s-barn, and from thence by Cut-throat-lane to Bow-bridge, where they passed under the middle arch to the Hos- pital-fields over the old Deer-park wall. They now rode eastward through Stoneybatter and Grange-Gor- man-lane into Finglass-road, and from thence to Drum- condra. After this they proceeded through Bally- bough-lane and bridge to Clontarf, and ended their progress at a little brook a hundred and thirty perches northward of the mill of Rahenny. Another ancient custom amongst the citizens of Dublin was the representation of plays and interludes upon certain occasions by the corporations, of which there were twenty. At the great festivals, they usu- ally invited the Lord Deputy and other persons of rank to an entertainment, which always commenced with stage-plays, and ended with a splendid banquet. We are told that Thomas Fitz-Gerald, Earl of Kil- dare, was invited every day at Christmas (1528) to a new play, the stage being erected in Hoggin, now (College) green. The Taylors acted the part of Adam and Eve ; the Shoemakers represented the story of Crispin and Crispianus ; the Vintners acted Bacchus and his story ; the Carpenters that of Joseph and Mary ; Vulcan and what related to him was acted by the Smiths ; and the comedy of Ceres, the goddess of corn, by the Bakers. The priors of St. John of Je- rusalem and All-Hallows caused at the same time d 3 54 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. two plays to be acted, the one representing the pas- sion of our Saviour, and the other the several deaths which the Apostles suffered. During the Parliament of 1541, when Henry VIII. was declared King of Ireland, the Lords rode about the streets in procession in their parliament robes, the Nine Worthies was played, and the Mayor bore the mace before the Lord Deputy on horseback. The proclamation of the king was celebrated with tournaments and running at at the ring with spears on horseback. The festival of St. George was generally observed with peculiar veneration. The following entries re- specting it are to be found in the chain-book of Dub- lin : — First. It was ordered in maintenance of the page- ant of St. George, that the mayor of the foregoing year should find the emperor and empress, with their tram and followers well apparelled, and accoutred ; that is to say, the emperor attended with two doctors, and the empress with two knights, and two maidens richly apparelled to bear up the train of her gown. Secondly. The mayor for the time being was to find St. George a horse, and the wardens to pay three shil- lings and four pence for his wages that day. The bai- liffs for the time being were to find four horses with men mounted on them well apparelled, to bear the pole-axe, the standards, and the several swords of the emperor and St. George. Thirdly. The elder master of the guild was to find a maiden well attired to lead the dragon ; and the clerk of the market was to find a golden line for the dragon. Fourthly, The elder warden was to find for St. George four trumpets ; but St. George himself was to pay their wages. Fifthly. The younger warden was obliged to find the king of Dele and the queen of Dele, as also two knights to lead the queen of Dele, and two maidens to PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 55 bear the train of her gown, all being entirely clad in black apparel. Moreover he was to cause St. George's chapel to be well hung in black, and completely ap- parelled to every purpose, and was to provide it with cushions, rushes, and other necessaries for the festivity of that day. The procession on Corpus Christi day was also con- ducted with great pageantry. The Glovers were to represent Adam and Eve, with an angel bearing a sword before them. The Corrisees (perhaps Curriers) were to represent Cain and Abel, with an altar and their offering. Mariners and Vintners, Noah and the persons in his ark. apparelled in the habits of carpenters and sal- mon-takers. The Weavers personated Abraham and Isaac, with their offering and altar. The Smiths represented Pharaoh, with his host The Skinners, the camel with the Children of Israel. The Goldsmiths were to find the King of Cullen. The Hoopers were to find the Shepherds, with an Angel singing, Gloria in excelsis Deo . Corpus Christi Guild were to find Christ in his pas- sion, with the Marys and Angels. The Taylors were to find Pilate with his fellowship, and his wife clothed accordingly. The Barbers, Anna and Caiaphas. The Fishers, the Apostles. The Merchants, the Prophets. And the Butchers, the Tormentors. These amusements, which to the present age, must appear not only ludicrous but profane, (though perhaps the original motive of their institution might have been in some degree laudable,) were replaced after some time by others less liable to objection. Many of the Corporations observed their respective patron- 5 6 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. days, by walking in procession to church, decorated with the various colours and emblems of their trade, and afterwards dining together. But this practice has for some time been laid aside. The forces, musters, and military discipline of the citizens have been noticed in the former chapter. MODERN DUBLIN. Nothing can give so just a view of the great in- crease of the city of Dublin within the last two centuries as comparing the map published in 1610 with the modern one, attached to this volume. At the former period, the entire circuit of its walls, which were wholly confined to the south side of the city, did not exceed a mile. Now, the length of the city from east to west is little short of three miles, and its breadth almost equal. The whole is nearly surrounded by the Circular-road, without which is the Grand Canal on the south, and the Royal Canal on the north. In 1610, the number of streets, lanes, &c. did not amount to 30, now there are above 750 streets, squares, lanes, alleys, courts, &c. more than 20,000 houses, and above 200,000 inhabitants. Since the former period the whole of the north side of Dublin has been built with the exception of Church-street ; and Grange-Gox- man, Stoney-batter, and Glassmanogue, villages then at a considerable distance, have been since united to the city. Rutland-and Mountjoy -squares with a num- ber of elegant and spacious streets occupy the north- eastern part of this tract. The south side has also been amazingly extended. In 1610 all the ground upon which Essex-street, Temple-bar, Fleet-street, and the quays east of Essex-bridge, are situated, was under the dominion of the water. Dame-street was built only on the north side, and did not extend more than three hundred feet in length to the precincts of the Augustinian monastery, which was opposite George's- lane. College-green was then a village called Hogges, PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 67 said to be so denominated from a nunnery situated there ; for ogh in the Irish language signifies a virgin. On the east and south of George’s-lane little was to be seen but enclosed fields ; and St. George’s-lane, Ste- phen-street and Cross-lane, now Golden-lane, appear to have marked the south-eastern limits of Dublin.-— St. Stephen’s-green, Merrion and Fitzwilliam-squares, with a number of elegant streets, now occupy this space. On the west Thomas-street was then built to James’s- gate, but the ground between it and the river was quite open. A very small portion of the Liberty, not- withstanding its present ruinous aspect, existed in 1610. Dublin is now become the second city in the British dominions, and perhaps the fourth or fifth in Europe. The view on entering the bay, between Howth and Dalkey-island is sublime beyond description. The at- tention of the stranger is attracted by bold promonto- ries, neat villas and pasture-grounds ; but particularly by Marino, the elegant seat of Lord Charlemont. The islands of Ireland's Eye and Lambay present a most picturesque view, to which succeed the Roche ? s-town hills several feet above the level of the sea. Behind these the eye is gratified with a varied prospect of villas, woods and pastures, terminated in the most de- lightful manner by the Wicklow mountains. The coast is every where decorated with crowded villages, amongst which Bullock with its ancient castle, Dun- leary, and Black Rock, are most conspicuous. Before the embanking of the river at the city, and the erection of the North and South-walls, the navigation of the LifFey was so exceedingly dangerous, that foreign vessels generally discharged their cargoes in the bay near Dalkey. Two sand-bankt, called the North and South-bull, rendered the entrance extremely hazard’ ous, while the uncontrolled spreading of the waters over the low grounds occasioned bars and shoals in different parts. To provide a remedy for these serious evils, the Ballast-office was established in 1707, and from that period works of the greatest utility to the 58 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. commercial interests of Dublin have been accomplish- ed. In 1748 the South-wall was begun and finished in seven years as far as the Pigeon House ; it was af- terwards extended to the eastern point of the South- bull, and now runs in a straight line into the sea the astonishing length of 17,754 feet, or nearly three Eng- lish miles and a half. It is constructed of large. blocks of granite strongly cemented, and strengthened with iron cramps. At the extremity of this structure stands the Light-house, erected by Mr. Smith, in 1762, in spite of the most appalling difficulties. It is an elegant piece of architecture, three stories high, surmounted by an octagonal lanthorn, which is lighted by oil lamps aided by reflecting lenses. A stone stair-case with an iron ballustrade winds round the outside of the building, which terminates in an iron gallery that sur- rounds it at the upper story. The South-wall and pier effectually secure the harbour against the sands of the South-bull ; to the northward, however, it is open to the North- bull ; but such measures are now in pro- gress, as, it is to be hoped will completely remedy this evil. At the Pigeon-house is a basin for packets and other vessels of a similar description, which is 900 feet in length and 450 in breadth. The pier at this place is 250 feet wide, and on it are built a magazine, arsenal, and custom-house. It is a place of great strength, surrounded with heavy cannon, and commands the bay in various directions. Barracks have been erected for a sufficient garrison, and a considerable detachment of artillery is stationed there. The approach to Dublin from this side is far from being attractive. After passing the wretched village of Ringsend, consisting of a few ruinous houses, no- thing appears on either hand but extensive marshy swamps once covered by the sea, while in front a cloud of smoke hangs suspended over the city, except where the dome of the custom-house, Nelson’s pillar, or a few steeples, generally of mean architectijre, arrest the PICTURE OF DUBLIN-. 59 eye. The quays as far as Carlisle-bridge, are by no means calculated to give to a stranger a favourable impression of the Irish metropolis ; the buildings, with a few exceptions, consisting of petty shops and public houses, chiefly frequented by sea-faring men ; but, ar- rived at Carlisle-bridge, one of the finest city prospects in the world, bursts upon the sight. On the right is Sackville-street, one of the most splendid in Europe, terminated by the Rotunda and Rutland-square ; it has been lately farther embellished by the erection of Nelson's pillar, and the New Post Office. On the left Westmoreland-street, a modern and splendid pile of building appears, terminated on one side by the College, and on the other by the Bank of Ireland. In front is the river with its eight bridges, and spacious quays, embanked and parapeted with mountain granite. These quays, on the south side of the river, extend from the grand canal docks to Barrack-bridge, being a line of two English miles and a quarter ; and on the north side from the royal canal docks to the vicinity of the barracks, an extent of an English mile and three quarters. The various obstructions which for- merly disfigured the quays being entirely removed, a free passage for ventilation, nearly 250 feet wide, is now opened quite through the metropolis from east to west. The centre of this space being occupied by the river, which generally flows with a lively current, must greatly contribute, not only to the beauty, but the salubrity of the city. This charming prospect is still further heightened by the distant view of the Four Courts on Inns-quay, and the Wellington Testimo- nial in the Phoenix-park, while to the eastward rises the New Custom-house in magnificent grandeur, and the harbour, as far as the eye can reach, appears crowded with vessels of various burthens. The chief accessions to the city have been made to the eastward. On both sides of the river, but suffici- ently removed from the influence of its marshy soil, 60 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. streets and squares of the most spacious, airy, and elegant description, have been erected within the last fifty years. As we advance westward however, (with the exceptions of College-green, Dame-street, Parlia- ment-street, and a few others,) the appearance of the city continues to decline, many of the houses wearing the marks of antiquity, until it terminates in that ne- glected spot the Liberty, so called from its being in- dependent of the Lord Mayor's jurisdiction. Yet even here are to be found some spacious, though irregular streets, such as St. James's and Thomas-street, which form the great western avenue. Many highly respectable shops and private houses are to be met with in them ; but the greater part of the numerous dwellings in the Liberty are inhabited by petty shop-keepers, the labouring poor, and beggars, crowded together in a way most distressing to humanity. Instances have been found where a wretched apartment, not fifteen feet square, has been the common residence of three or four fami- lies. A degree of filth and stench inconceivable must be the inevitable result of such a dense population, existing, for the most part, in narrow lanes and alleys. All the ordure and filth is generally flung from every house into the back-yards, and this after heavy rains , runs into the street by the entry leading to the stair- case. The slaughter-houses, carrion-houses, distille- ries, glass-houses, and lime-kilns, with which this part of Dublin abounds, contribute not a little to ren- der the air truly deleterious to its wretched inhabit- ants.* Most of the streets in Dublin are well paved in the centre for carriages, and on each side is a flagged foot- path. The principal shops are fitted up with a degree of taste, scarcely surpassed in the British metropolis. At night the city is well lighted, and the inhabitants enjoy an ample supply of excellent water from the • History of Dublin by Warburton, Whitelaw, and WaliL PICTURE OP DUBLIN. ei Grand and Royal Canals, which is conveyed by pipes from large reservoirs or basins on each side of the river. To supply the wants of such houses as have not pipes, public fountains are erected in several places. The city is encompassed by a circular road nearly nine miles in length, which commands the most delightful views of the adjacent country, the Wicklow mountains, and the bay. The Grand and Royal Canals surround Dublin nearly on three sides, and terminate in docks communicating with the Liffey near its mouth. The increase of population since 1610 appears to have kept pace with the enlargement of the city. At that period, according to Speed, the number of inha- bitants was 26,000, about 15,000 of whom were within and 11,000 without the walls. In 1682, Sir William Petty stated the number of houses at 6,025. and the inhabitants at 69,090. The population ap- pears to have more than doubled within the next fifty years, for in 1728, it was estimated at 146,075. Dr. Whitelaw’s return in 1813 was 175,319, but if Mr* Gregory's revision be correct, which took place three years after, this falls very short indeed of the real number of inhabitants. In this statement the city is divided into its nineteen parishes, two Deaneries, County parts of Parishes, Liberties, and Manors, as taken by order of Government in 1813* 62 PICTURE OF DUBLIN, Parishes* Houses in habit ed. Ho usa not in- habit- ed , 01 build- ing. Males. Females. Total . Doctor White- law's return 1813 . St. Andrews, 703 27 3266 3808 7074 7070 — Anne’s, 764 26 3644 4680 8324 8324 — Audeon’s, 412 58 1993 2674 4667 4667 — Bridget’s, 745 53 4367 5272 9639 9639 — $ Catherine’s united, 1350 425 7579 9525 17104 ? 17104 — ( do. County part, 342 49 1696 2212 3908 S — Christ Church, Dean- ery. 16 2 110 144 254 250 St. George’s, 1794 138 5322 7690 13012 5100 — James’s, 455 31 2447 3202 5649 5649 — John’s, 277 21 2012 2334 4346 4346 — Luke’s, 4 61 38 2943 4059 7002 7300 — Mark’s, 720 78 5181 5882 11063 11066 — Mary s, 1778 129 8417 10851 19268 19268 — Michael’s, 130 9 883 1128 2011 2011 — Michan’s, 1604 118 9280 11313 20593 20563 — Nicholas within, 102 12 662 785 4 1447 1447 — ) do. without, 722 42 4074 5335 9409 ? 9409 — f do. County part, 250 12 1276 1623" 2899 £ — — Paul’s, 746 34 3972 5588 9560 9560 — C Peter’s, (City) 1264 173 5575 7903 13478? 13478 — — — £do. Kevin’s, 547 39 2452 3650 6102) — — Patrick’s Deanery, 149 3 981 1265 2246 2246 — Thomas’s, 1680 183 5895 7871 13766 13766 — Werburgh’s, 246 22 1428 1624 3052 3052 — Mary’s, Donnybrook 684 21 2222 2688 4910 County part, 290 1 907 1067 1974 Kilmainhani, 794 47 2149 2569 4718 — Manor of St. Sepulchre, 797 51 3728 5273 9001 — Donore, 803 87 4639 6271 10910 — — — — Grangegorraan, 809 114 2884 4849 7733 — 22,039 2,103 104770 137,361 242131 175315 Army, 7000 Inmates of Seminaries, Hospitals, &c. 8030 257161 Of these, 165,360 are within the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor.* • The following observations upon this Return appear in the His- tory of Dublin lately published, written by Warburton, Whitelaw, PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 6*3 The consumption of provisions by this vast popula- tion must be very considerable, and the prices are ge- nerally much cheaper than in London. Smithfield, an oblong square at the extremity of North King-street, is the great market for live cattle, hay, and straw ; the number of cattle sold here annually amounts on an average, to 30,000 head, and it is no uncommon cir- cumstance to sell 5,000 sheep and lambs in one day. As London, with a population five times greater, con- sumes but 110,000 head of cattle annually, the use of animal food would appear to be more general in Dub- lin. There are nine established markets for the sale of butcher’s meat, poultry, &c. namely, Meath-market in the Liberty, established by patent in the reign of Charles II. — Ormond-marhet on Ormond-quay, opened in 1682. This has long been esteemed one of the first in Europe, and besides butchers meat of prime quality, it is well supplied with poultry, fresh and cured fish, bacon, butter, cheese, fruit, and vegetables, with every kind of sauce that luxury can require. — Castle - and Walsh. “ The discrepancies of these Returns are to be as- cribed to the assigning parts of the City (the newest and best parts) to the County, because not in the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor. On the other hand, Gregory’s estimate goes too far out of town, and takes in too much of the scattered outlets. If the City and suburbs of Dublin be taken out of the County, the latter will then be the smallest County in Ireland. There is not what may be termed a market town in the whole County. It contains eighty villages, but ten of the principal of these are absorbed in and make part of the City. Now, suppose seventy villages each average forty houses and two hundred inhabitants, which make 14,000, then the remainder of the County contains 48,000, on the whole 60,000. But according to the last official census, City and County together contain From this total deduct the number in the County Garrison and inmates of public buildings 270.784 60,000 210.784 15,030 225,714 64 PICTURE OP DUBLIN- market f between South Great George's- street and William-street, is inferior to Ormond-market in size and variety, but superior in cleanliness. — Patrick' s- market is badly situated in a narrow dirty street, yet it is considered as generally having excellent meat for sale. — City -market, BJackhall-row is entirely filled with mutton and lamb, of which 1000 are usually sold in a week, with a small quantity of pork in the spring months. — Clarendon-market is situated in William st. Fleet-market in Townsend -street, and Rotunda , or Norfolk-market in Great Britain-street. Besides these a new market has been lately opened near Oarlisle- bridge, called Leinster -market. The meat in these markets is generally of excellent quality, but just com- plaints are made of the want of public slaughter-houses, which occasions an accumulation of filth in. some of them, which is often highly offensive.. Besides the markets,, poulterers' shops, in various parts of the city, are well supplied with barn-door and crammed fowl, turkies, geese, ducks, hares, rabbits, and wild-fowl. Eggs, which invariably form part of the breakfast in Dublin, are in such abundance, that iit is not uncommon to sell 200,000 in a day at the market, besides great numbers sold by country people to- private families- About a fortnight before Christ - mas, it is computed that not less than one thousand geese and turkies are sold daily in Thomas-street. A market is held every morning in Kevin-street, for ba- con and butter, and in Spitalfields for bacon and po- tatoes- The fish-markets 'are well supplied in the different seasons, with cod, haddock, whiting, ray, gurnards, turbot, plaice, soal, salmon, mackarel, her- ring, trout, and various other species of the finny tribes.. Several kinds of shell-fish, but in- small quantities, are also sent to the markets. When fish arrives in Dub- lin, it is first disposed of by auction in Pill-lane ; the auctioneer is generally a woman, who sells it in lots to the highest bidder, holding in her hand a plaice, or PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 65 other flat fish, by the tail, instead of a hammer. The purchasers, with few exceptions, are fishwomen, who carry it through the city in open sieves, and cry it as they proceed. Cheese, an article not much used in Dublin, is chiefly imported from England, but some of excellent flavour comes from Kinnegad, in the county of Westmeath. Roots and vegetables are generally good and cheap ; and such is the use made of potatoes, that 15,000 stones is computed to be the daily consumption of the city. Fruit is dearer than might be expected, with the ex- ception of strawberries, which are peculiarly fine. The sloping grounds between Cliapel-Izod and Lucan, about three miles from Dublin on the northern bank of the LifFey, display, in the season, a surface of several acres covered exclusively with the finest straw- berries. It is one of the most delightful recreations of the citizens in summer, to resort to this spot, and eat strawberries and cream, of a quality, and in the midst of a scenery, not to be surpassed in any country. The market for grain is held in Thomas-street, two days in the week, under the control of the lord mayor, and from its prices that of bread is regulated. For- merly the price of the loaf was stationary, and its weight fluctuated with the price of grain ; but now the quartern loaf must always contain 41b. 5oz. 8dr. while the price varies with the market. Great exertions are made by the lord mayor and market jury to detect bread deficient in weight, or bad in quality, and all seizures on this account are appropriated to some cha- ritable institution. The annual sales of grain and flour are generally in round numbers as follow. — Wheat, above 50,000 barrels of 20 stone weights — Barley, near 30,000 barrels. — Bere, above 2000 barrels. — Oats, about 150,000 barrels. — Oatmeal, 110,000 cwt. — -Flour, near 600,000 cwt. Milk and fresh butter in Dublin are both dear in price, and very inferior in quality, with the exception 66 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. of tlie butter which comes from the mountainous dis- tricts south of the capital. To remedy this evil, many families now keep a eow ; and some gentlemen have recently established dairies on speculation, in the vi- cinity of the city, the produce of which is vended through Dublin on hand-carts, in which are several churns suspended on springs. These churns are se- cured with locks, of which the proprietor keeps the key, and the person who sells it cannot at any time increase the quantity by adulteration. The milk is distributed to the purchasers through a brass cock. — These establishments are rapidly advancing in public estimation. Though whiskey is still the favourite beverage of the lower classes, yet it is pleasing to observe, that its consumption within the last few years has considerably diminished. It is not much more than half a century since this liquor came into general use, yet now there are nine distilleries in Dublin, producing annually about two million gallons of spirits, a large proportion of which is sent to other places. The malt used in the spring and winter months, when alone the distil- leries are at work, averages 18,000 barrels a month. The number of breweries amounts to thirty -five ; the quantity of corn malted for brewing is esti- mated at 10,000 barrels monthly, and the annual produce at 300,000 barrels, the greater part of which is consumed in the city. Notwithstanding the vicinity of the great bog of Allen, coal is the fuel most generally used in Dublin, and the annual consumption averages at 200,000 tons. It is generally brought in two fleets which arrive in September and January, when the wealthy citizens lay in a stock for the year, and coal yards are estab- lished for supplying others in small quantities at all seasons ; in times of scarcity, coals are usually sold to the poor at reduced prices. Fart of me i©rth Sim or builik castjlb. ^AlDEir FROHT or DFBLm CASTLE. Marine School. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 67 VICE-REGAL GOVERNMENT. The government of Ireland has, since the period of the English conquest, been uniformly committed to a Viceroy, an office which has ever been considered in this country, a place of dignity little inferior to royalty itself. Hugh de Lacy, Lord of Meath, was the first Viceroy, under the title of Lord Justice. — Until the reign of Henry VIII. the office was frequently con- ferred upon branches of the royal family ; but it was also sometimes filled by persons, who had not even arrived at the peerage. But since the commencement of the reign of Charles II. noblemen of high rank have generally been placed in this station. HLs Excellency's household consists of a private se- cretary, steward, comptroller, gentleman-usher, cham- berlain, and master of the horse, with several gentlemen of the bedchamber, gentlemen at large, chaplains, aides-de-camp, pages, and a company of battle-axe guards. The Lord Lieutenant’s residences are the Castle of Dublin, and the Vice-regal lodge in the Park. The Castle of Dublin . — This edifice is generally supposed to have been commenced in 1205, by Meyler Fitzhenry, Lord Justice, natural son to King Henry II. and finished in 1220 by Henry de Loundres, Arch- bishop of Dublin. It was first intended to be a fortress or citadel to secure the English interest in Ireland, and was deemed a place of considerable strength. The entrance from the city on the north side was by a draw-bridge, placed between two strong round towers from Castle-street, the westward of which subsisted till the year 1766. A portcullis, armed with iron, between these towers, served as a second defence in case the bridge should be surprized by an enemy. A high curtain extended from the western tower to Cork- tower, so called after the great Earl of Cork, who in 68 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 1624 expended a considerable sum in the rebuilding of it. The wall was then continued of equal height until it joined Bermingham tower, the strongest and highest of the whole. This tower, which was afterwards used as a prison for state criminals, was taken down in 1775, and the present building erected on the site, for preserv- ing part of the ancient records of the kingdom. From this another high curtain extended to the Wardrobe- tower, which served as a repository for the royal robe, the cap of maintenance, and the other furniture of state. From this tower the wall was carried to the North or Store-house tower (now demolished) near Dame's-gate, and from thence it was continued to the eastern gate-way tow T er at the entrance of the castle. This fortress was originally encompassed with a broad and deep moat r which has been long since filled up. There were^two sally-ports in the walls, one towards Sheep (or Ship) street, which was closed up in 1663 by the Duke of Ormond, after the discovery of Jephson and Blood's conspiracy. The other, which afforded a passage to the back-yard and out-offices north of the Wardrobe-tower, remained till the curtain on that side was taken down to make room for a new pife of buildings, where the Council-chamber and a new range of offices for the secretaries stand. The custody of the Castle was formerly entrusted to a con- stable, gentleman -porter, and a body of warders, con- sisting, previous to the invention of gun-powder, of archers and pikemen.* The Castle of Dublin did not become the royal seat of government until the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Previous to that period, the Chief Governors some- times held their court in the Archbishop's palace at St. Sepulchre's, sometimes at Thomas-court, but more fre- quently at the Castle of Kilmainham. A tempest hav- • The ancient fee of the constable was £20 per annum, the porter £13 13 9, and each warder £2 S 6£d. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 69 ing damaged this house in 15.59, Queen Elizabeth is- sued her mandate for preparing the Castle of Dublin for the reception of the Chief Governors, and the work was completed by Sir Henry Sidney in 1567, and from that period it has continued to be the town -resi- dence of the Viceroy. Previous to this time, neither the Parliaments nor the Courts of Justice were fixed to any certain place. Parliaments were held at Trim, Drogheda, Naas, Wex- ford, Clare, Conall, Limerick, Balldoil, Castledermot, Kilkenny, Waterford, Cashell, but more frequently in Dublin, where they sometimes met in Christ-church, sometimes at the Castle, and once in the hall of the Carmelites in Whitefriar-street. But from the latter end of Elizabeth's reign to the Restoration, both Terms and Parliaments were held in the Castle, until the former were removed to Christ-church-lane, and the latter to Chichester-house, on the site of which the Parliament-house (now the Bank of Ireland) was afterwards built. The Castle of Dublin is situated on the highest ground and nearly in the centre of the city. It is di- vided into two courts, the upper and the lower. The former which contains the apartments of the Lord Lieutenant is a quadrangle, two hundred and eighty feet long by one hundred and thirty feet broad, with uniform buildings on every side. Over the prin- cipal entrance from Cork -hill is an excellent statue of Justice, and over the other gate a statue of Fortitude. — The Viceroy's apartments occupy the whole of the south-side, and part of the east end, the remainder of the court being occupied by the apartments and offices of the Chief Secretary and various officers of the Household. The grand approach to the Viceregal apartments is a colonnade, over which is the presence-chamber, fur- nished with a throne and canopy covered with crimson velvet, richly ornamented with gold-lace and carved 70 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. work gilt. From a rich stucco ceiling hangs an elegant glass lustre of the Waterford manufactory, purchased by the late Duke of Rutland at the expense of 2701. But the object which attracts the greatest attention is the ball-room, or St. Patrick's -ball, so called since the institution of the Order of Knights of St. Patrick. This noble room, which is eighty-two feet long, forty- one feet broad, and thirty-eight high, is decorated by some line paintings, particularly the ceiling, the flat of which is divided into three compartments, an oblong rectangle at each end, and a circle in the middle. In one of the rectangles, St. Patrick is represented con- verting the Irish to Christianity ; and in the other, Henry II. seated under a canopy, receives the sub- mission of the Irish chieftains. In the circle, his late Majesty King George III. is seen, supported by Li- berty and Justice, while various allegorical represen- tations allude to the happy effects resulting to this country from his auspicious reign. The cornice of the room is also richly painted. The ingenious artist was Mr. Waldron. At each end of the room is a gallery for the musicians and spectators. The levees and drawing-rooms are respectably attended, though by no means so numerously as they were previous to the le- gislative union. A guard of horse and foot with regi- mental music mounts at the Castle every morning in the same manner as at the Royal Palace in London. The lower court, though larger, (being 250 feet by 220) is more irregular in form and very inferior in ap- pearance. On the north side are the Treasury, the Hanaper, Register, and Auditor-General’s Offices. The Ordnance Office, which is a modern brick building, stands at the east end* where is also the arsenal and an armoury containing arms for 40,000 men, with some cannon and mortars, besides guard -houses, rid- ing-houses, stables, &c. There is a small lawn, adorned with trees and shrubs, called the Castle-gar- den, with which the Viceregal apartments communi- PIDTURE OP DUBLIN. 71 cate by a large flight of steps from the terrace before the garden front. Two other buildings in the lower Castle-yard demand a more particular description. New Castle Chapel , — The old edifice had long been in a ruinous condition, and in 1807, during the Viceroyalty of the Duke of Bedford it was taken down. The first stone of the new building was laid by his Grace, and it was finished in seven years, at the expense of 42,0001. being opened for divine ser- vice on Christmas-day, 1814, during the administra- tion of Earl Whitworth. The chapel, which is seventy- three feet long, and thirty-five broad, is raised with caipe or common Irish black stone. The exterior is ornamented with no less than ninety heads, including all the sovereigns of England. They are formed of dark blue marble from the quarries of Tullamore, which for susceptibility of expression and durability of texture is not inferior to the finest statuary marble. The great entrance on the north side is surmounted by a fine bust of St. Peter holding a key, and above it over a window, a bust of Dean Swift. Over the east entrance are the busts of St. Patrick and Brian Boiromhe, king of Ireland, and over them that of the Virgin Mary. A monastic battlement ornaments the door- way, which is pointed, and over it is the great east window, richly ornamented with Gothic foliage. The gavel terminates above in a rich antique cross, and at each angle are square towers rising to the height of the roof. The interior of the chapel is beautiful in the extreme It consists of a choir without nave or transept, finished in the richest style of Gothic architecture. Buttresses springing from grotesque heads, and ornamented with rich foliage, support the sides. Between the buttresses are pointed windows, surmounted by labels. The east window over the communion-table is adorned with stained glass finely executed. The subject is Christ before Pilate. This glass was a present from Lord 72 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. Whitworth, by whom it was purchased on the Conti- nent. The compartments beneath this piece are filled up with the four Evangelists, executed in Dublin. The roof is supported by six clustered pillars on each side, terminating with capitals covered with foliage. The ceiling is formed of groined arches springing from gro- tesque heads of modelled stucco ; it is richly orna- mented with tracery, and painted in imitation of stone. The pulpit, desk, gallery and pews are all of Irish oak. In the gallery on the right side is a throne for the Lord Lieutenant, and opposite one for the Arch- bishop. In the centre pannel of the front of the organ- gallery the King's arms are neatly carved, and on either side those of the Dukes of Bedford and Rich- mond ; from these are placed alternately the arms of all the Viceroys of Ireland to the earliest period. The pulpit rests £>n a shaft issuing from an open bible, and the pannels are enriched with the arms of the mo- narchs Henry, Elizabeth, Edward, and William, who were the great supporters of the Reformation, together with those of the Archbishops and Bishops of Ireland. The whole of this beautiful chapel, with the exception of the stained glass, was planned and executed by na- tive artists. Mr. J ohnson was the architect ; the two Smiths executed the sculpture, and Stewart the carved work and modelling. The Record Office . — From the period of the con- quest much evil had resulted from the want of a secure repository for the public Records of Ireland. The private houses of the officers were generally the places where these documents, so essential to national pro- perty were deposited ; in consequence of which, whe- ther through intention or negligence, many of them were lost. After the erection of the Four Courts, such of the Records as appeared more immediately con- nected with the law, were removed to offices prepared for them, but many other most valuable documents were unprovided with a repository in those offices. The PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 73 order to remedy this evil, his Majesty, in 1810, issued Letters Patent, at the recommendation of the House of Commons, for forming a commission to provide for the better arrangement and preservation of the Public Records in Ireland. The Commissioners appointed were the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chief Justices of the King’s Bench and Common Pleas, the Chief Baron of the Exchequer, the Master of the Rolls, and Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant, all for the time being, together with the Bishop of Kildare, the Earls of Meath, Charlemont and Ross. The Com- missioners have appointed a number of Sub-com- missioners, who are paid according to the difficulty of the work to be performed, and the time employed in its execution. The Secretary’s salary, with his remuneration as a Sub-commissioner, may amount to about 5001. a year, and the whole expenditure of the Commission to January, 1820, has amounted to £102,348 :8: 8. About forty individuals are em- ployed in this useful work, including some barristers and clergymen of the established church, and the most useful results have already arisen from their labours. The Wardrobe Tower , in the Lower Castle-yard, has been fitted up by Mr. Johnson as a repository for the Records, and all combustible materials removed from the floors and stair- cases. It contains offices for the Secretary, Sub-commissioners, Clerks, Surveyor- .General, &c. and the greatest regularity is observed in .the arrangement and preservation of the valuable do- cuments committed to their care. These consist of Parliamentary Records and Statute-rolls, the books and papers of the Civil Department and Council-office, together with the various maps and books now remain- ing of the several surveys, estimates, and distributions at different periods in Ireland. Amongst these docu- ments the most interesting is the celebrated Down Sur- tvey, which originally consisted of thirty-one folios of 74 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. actual surveys of the lands forfeited in Ireland, in con- sequence of the rebellion of 1641, executed under the direction of the celebrated Sir William Petty. Of the thirty-two counties in Ireland, only Galway and Ros- common, with a part of Mayo, and a few other baro- nies, were omitted. They were accompanied with dis- tribution books, shewing how the forfeited lands were partitioned among the adventurers. This survey was deposited in the Surveyor-General's Office, then si- tuated in Essex-street, which, with the Council Cham- ber, was consumed in 1711 by an accidental lire. — Eighteen books of the maps were preserved, but the remainder were greatly injured, or totally destroyed. — The Strafford Survey, with some other valuable docu- ments, were consumed at. the same time. MILITARY ESTABLISHMENT. Dublin is the residence of the Commander of the Forces in Ireland. There are also offices for the Adjutant- General, Quarter-Master-General, and Commissary-General, from whence all orders are is- sued in their respective departments. In time of peace the garrison consists of two regiments of cavalry, and four of infantry, for whom barracks of the most com- modious kind have been erected. The Royal Bar- racks, which were built in 1706, are capable of con- taining 5000 men. They stand at the western extre- mity of the city, on an airy eminence over the Liffey, and consist of three squares. The Palatine-square, which forms a noble quadrangle, is built of hewn gra- nite, and ornamented with a cornice and pediments at the opposite sides. Two other barracks have been erected within a few years ; one for infantry, called Richmond Barracks, near Kilmainham, and not far from the banks of the Grand Canal ; and the other for cavalry on the same Canal, near Portobello. They are both extensive and handsome edifices. IfOETH FBOFTof the ROXAJL, EXCHANGE , SECTION of tece EXCITiFGE Flt©M EAST to WEST, Custom mouse „ NEWGATE. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 75 REVENUE. The grand sources of Revenue in this country are the Customs, Excise, Post Office, and Stamp Duties. — There are five Commissioners of Customs, six Commisioners of Excise, and four Commissioners of Stamp Duties, to whom the management of these se- veral departments is entrusted ; and the conduct of the Post Office is under the superintendance of two Post-masters General. To describe the edifices con- nected with these different establishments shall be the business of this section. THE CUSTOM-HOUSE. The former building, appropriated to this purpose, was erected in 1707, near Essex-bridge ; but before the end of the century it fell into decay, and was to- tally inadequate to the increasing trade of the port of Dublin. It became therefore necessary to erect ano- ther, and an eligible spot of ground was chosen for the purpose on the north side of the river. The first stone was laid on the 8th of August 1781, and in ten years was completed the most sumptuous edifice of the kind in Europe. This magnificent structure is 375 feet in length, and 205 in depth, and exhibits four de- corated fronts, answering almost directly to the four cardinal points of the compass. The north and south are the principal fronts. The east front chiefly consists of warehouses. In the interior are two courts divided from each other by the centre pile, which is 100 feet broad, and runs from north to south the whole depth of the building. The south, or sea front, is composed of pavilions at each end joined by arcades, and united to the centre. It is finished in the Doric order, with an entablature, E 2 76 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. and bold projecting cornice. On the attic story, over the pillars of the portico are statues of Neptune, Plenty, Industry, and Mercury. In the tympan of the pedi- ment, in alto-relievo, is represented the friendly union of England and Ireland. ^They are seated on a car of shell ; Neptune, with his trident, driving away Famine and Despair, while a fleet at a distance approaches in full sail. The pavilions at each end are decorated with the arms of Ireland beautifully executed. Alle- gorical heads on the key-stones of the arches represent the different rivers of Ireland. A superb dome one hundred and twenty-five feet in height, surmounts the whole, on the top of which is a statue of Hope, resting on her anchor, sixteen feet high. The north front has a portico of four pillars in the centre, but no pediment. On the entablature, over the columns, are statues representing Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. This front, which is opposite to a hand- some crescent, called Beresfbrd^place, has neither ar- cades or recessed columns like the south, but the wings are the same. The east and west fronts are each one hundred feet in extent ; the former with open arcades below, of seven arches, which give entrance to the courts, and have a very good effect. The south front is entirely of Portland stone, the other three of moun- tain granite. This great edifice is jointly the House of Customs and Excise ; and, besides all the offices necessary for these purposes, contains dwelling-houses for the Chief Commissioners, Secretaries, &c. The doors on each side of the portico in the south front, lead into passages running the whole depth of the building, with a range of offices down them on one side. The great stair-case, with its Ionic colonnade, is deservedly admired. The Long- Room is a superb apartment seventy feet by sixty- five, ornamented with composite columns, and enlight- ened by two large circular lanterns. The Trial and Board-rooms in the north front are also very handsome PICTURE OF DUBLIV. 77 apartments. On the east of the Custom-house is a wet dock, capable of containing forty sail of vessels ; and along the quay, that bounds it on the east and north is a range of capacious and commodious ware- houses, The whole of this great work was designed by, and executed under the direction of Mr. James Gandon, and the total expense, including the dock, was 397*232/. 4s, 11 d. The ornamental part was ex- ecuted by Mr. Edward Smyth and Mr. Thomas Banks. The holydays observed at the Custom-house, are Sundays, Christmas-day, Good Friday, all Gene- ral Fast and Thanksgiving Days, the King’s Birth day and Coronation, and the Restoration of Charles II. STAMP-OFFICE, WILLIAM-STREET. This establishment is conducted by four Commis- sioners, a Secretary, Comptrollers, Inspectors, and a number of Clerks. The duty on Stamps was first in- troduced into Ireland in 1774 ; and its product for the first five years was very trifling, averaging little more than 20,0001. per annum, but it has since so greatly increased that the average for the five years ending January 5th, 1815, was 741,4001. per annum. The business of this department was first transacted in a confined situation in Eustace-street ; but in 1811, Lord Ppwerscourt’s splendid mansion in William-street was purchased for 15,0001. and aa equal sum has since been expended in building additions in the rere. It is built of mountain-stone, and the front is approached by a flight of steps, which formerly led to a portico supported on four Doric pillars. Rustic arched win- dows and a Doric entablature enrich the first story, and in the centre of the second is a Venetian window of the Ionic order. The windows in the attic are de- corated by architraves in a good taste. The whole is surmounted by a quadrangular building, which serves for an observatory, and commands an extensive view 78 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. of the bay of Dublin and the adjacent country. A gateway on each side surmounted by pediments stand as wings to the building, which was finished in 1771 by Mr. Robert Mack, architect. GENERAL POST-OFFICE, SACKVILLE-STREKT. As a productive system of finance, and a public convenience of the highest utility, the Post-Office, in its present improved state, must be considered as one of the most interesting establishments in any country. — In civilized nations, even amongst the ancients, it ap- pears that the interests and feelings of mankind very early pointed out the necessity of some regular mode of communication between distant places. After the fall of the Roman empire, however, no posts seem to have existed in Europe until about 1475, when Louis XI. established them for the conveyance of state in- formation throughout France. In England letters were conveyed by special messengers, until a system of postage was established in the reign of Elizabeth, which was conducted by individuals for their own pro- fit. Things continued in this state until 1(143, when Charles I. ordered his Post-master for foreign parts to run a post between London and Edinburgh, and si- milar regulations were soon after made for Ireland by Chester and Holyhead.. The system was much im- proved during the Protectorate of Cromwell, when re- gular packet-boats were established between Chester and Dublin, and Milford and Waterford. The rates of postage at that time were for every single letter within 80 miles of London, two pence ; beyond that distance to any part of England three pence ; to Scot- land four pence ; and to Ireland six pence. In 1711 a Post-master General was appointed for all the Bri- tish dominions ; but in 1782, when the independence of Ireland was acknowledged, its Post Office became PICTURE Of dublix. 79 a separate establishment, and continues to be so, not- withstanding the Union. The introduction of mail-coaches has not only greatly improved the system of the Post Office, but has been attended with the greatest advantages to the general interests of Ireland. Previous to their intro- duction, the state of the roads was such, that it com- monly took live or six days to perform a journey from Dublin to Cork ; and it is said that persons, in those days, deemed it a matter of more serious importance to undertake a long journey through Ireland, than many do at present to undertake a voyage to America. The first mail-coaches commenced running from Dub- lin to Cork and Belfast on the 5th of July, 1790. A regular improvement in the state of the Irish roads has continued from that to the present, and they are now allowed to be amongst the best in Europe. Ten or twelve mail-coaches leave Dublin every evening for different parts of Ireland. They are provided with a double guard well armed, the cattle and accommoda- tions are excellent, and the drivers, in general, sober, correct, and intelligent. They all assemble at the General Post Office every evening a little before eight o'clock, and having received the bags, set out for their different destinations. This nightly exhibition always attracts a crowd of spectators, when the sound of the horns, the prancing of the horses, and the last adieus of friends, form altogether a very interesting and ani- mated picture. The Post Office was originally established in Dame- street, near Anglesea-street. It was afterwards re- moved to College-green, where it remained until the increase of business rendered it necessary to look out for a more spacious site. A commodious piece of ground on Ihe west side of Sackville-street was chosen, and the first stone was laid by his Excellency Earl Whitworth, on the 12th of August, 1815. The build- ing proceeded with unusual celerity, and its com pie- 80 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. lion lias enriched the Irish metropolis with one of the grandest edifices of the kind in Europe. It is 223 feet in front, 150 in depth, and its height is fifty feet to the top of the cornice, consisting of three stories. In front is a grand portico, eighty feet in length, consist- ing of a pediment, supported by six massive pillars, of the Ionic order. The pediment is surmounted by three finely executed statues by the younger Smyth, repre- senting, Hibernia resting ^n her spear and harped shield ; Mercury with his caduceus and purse, and Fidelity with her finger on her lips, and a key in the other hand. The tympanum of the pediment is de- corated with the royal arms, and a fine ballustrade surmounts the cornice all round the top, giving an ele- gant finish to the whole. This superb edifice is built of mountain granite, except the portico* which is of Portland stone. The expense was something more than 50,0001. At the head of this important establishment are two Post-masters General, and the officers appointed for conducting it consist of a Secretary, Treasurer, Ac- comptant General, five Surveyors, six Clerks of the Roads, &c. with a number of subordinate clerks. — The most admirable regularity and despatch are appa- rent in all the proceedings of this office. Houses are appointed for receiving letters in various parts of the city, where boxes are open till five o’clock in the even- ing, after which the letter-carriers, (of whom there are sixty -five for the Irish and twenty for the English de- partments) go about for another hour, with a bell, to collect letters. At the General Post Office letters are received until seven o’clock, but a small sum must be paid with any put in after that hour. A Penny Post is the medium of conveyance from the several parts of the city with each other. From sixty receiving-houses the letters are delivered four times a day with such ce- lerity and exactness, that two persons living at oppo- site extremities of the city may write four letters and k Y * J • ' stevetts hospital,. EAST FM.QNT or tibue BLUE is the following inscrip- tion This : avncyent : monvnaent : of : Strangbowe : call- ed : comes : Stranguiensis : lord : of ’ chepsto : and : ogtiey : the : first : and : principal : invader : of : irland : J 169 : qui : obiit r 1177 : the : monvment : was : broken: by : the : fall : of : the : roff : and : bodye rof : christes : churcbe : in : An : 1562 : and : set : up : agayn : at : the : chargys : of : the : right r honorable : sr ; heniri : sydnie : knyght : of : the : noble : order : 1 : president : waiies : 1 : deputy : of Irland : 1570. 84 PICTURE OF DUBLIN*. The monument consecrated to the memory of Tho- mas Prior, Esq. who died in 1751, in his 71st year, is extremely beautiful and interesting. He was the Patron, and for many years the indefatigable Secretary of the Dublin Society, and spent his life in unwearied efforts to promote the welfare of his native country. — T wo boys are represented standing beneath his bust, one weeping, while the other points to a bass-relief of Minerva, leading the Arts towards Hibernia. On a scroll, which he holds in his hand, is the following in«- scription : — This monument was erected to Thomas Prior,. Esq. at the charge of several persons, who contributed to honor the memory of that Worthy Patriot, to whom his veracity, actions, and unwearied endeavours in the service of his country, have raised a monument more lasting than marble. Sculptured by X. Van Nost, in 1756. There is also a long Latin inscription, from the pen of Bishop Berkeley. The monument of Lord Viscount Lifford, who died in 1789, aged 73 years, consists of a neat tablet of white marble on a variegated ground, ornamented with the insignia of Justice, above which are his arms, with the motto which he had selected when appointed to office, “ Re just and j'ear not” Lord Lifford filled the dignified situation of Lord Chancellor of Ireland for twenty-two years, with honour to himself, and the universal approbation of a grateful country.. Among the other monuments in the nave are those of Lord Chancellor Bowes, who died in 1767, and Doctor Welbore Ellis, Bishop of Kildare, who died in 1705, both well executed ; also two old statues of Charles I. and II. with some curious ancient inscrip- tions. PICTURE OP DUBLIN*. 85 The choir, which is 105 feet by 28, is devoid of architectural ornament. The throne and stalls are of varnished oak in the Gothic style, neatly carved ; while, by a strange perversion of taste, the galleries are sup- ported by Corinthian and Ionic columns. The organ is finely toned, and the choir-service is performed every Sunday, at noon, in a superior manner. On the north side of the communion-table stands the noble monument of Robert Earl of Kildare, great-grand- father to the present Duke of Leinster. It represents* the relict of the deceased, his son, afterwards the first Duke of Leinster, and liis sister, mourning over the body of the Earlr. The figures, which are as large as life are beautifully sculptured in white marble by H. Cheere. On the pedestal is the following inscrip- tion : — To the Memory of Robert, Earl of Kildare, The Nineteenth of that Title in Succession, And in Rank the first Earl in Ireland. He married the Lady Marie O'Bryen, Eldest Daughter of William, Earl of Ikchiquik y By whom he had issue, Four. Sons and Eight Daughters, of which number, only Tames, the present Earl, and the' Lady Margaretta Survived Him. Together with the Titles, He inherited the Virtues of His Noble Ancestors^ And adorned every Station He possessed. Truth, Honor, and Justice* Directed the whole course of his Life. The daily Devotions of His Family, And the Public Worship of the Church Were, by his Regular Attendance, Cherished and recommended. Tho’ possessed of a great Estate, 86 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. He managed it With particular Prudence and (Economy, In order to give a free course To his many and great charities. He was a disinterested Lover of His Country, Without any Affectation of Popularity ; And was beloved by all, not because He sought it. Hut because He deserved it. He was A most tender and affectionate Husband, An indulgent and prudent Father, A sincere and steady Friend. His disconsolate Relict, In testimony of Her Gratitude and Affection, And the better to recommend to His Descendants, The imitation of His excellent Example, Caused this Monument to be erected. He died the 20th Day of February, A. D. 1743, in the 60th Year of His Age. A plain tablet of white marble, on the south side of the communion-table, commemorates the virtues of Doctor Thomas Fletcher, Bishop of Kildare, who died in 1761. There are also various memorials oF other persons, of whom little is recorded, save that they lived and died. The steeple, which is an ordinary square tower with- out a spire, is raised over the intersection of the aisles on firm arches, supported by strong pillars of hewn ttone. The Bishop of Kildare is generally Dean of Christ Church. CATHEDRAL OF ST. PATRICK. On the site of this Cathedral there formerly stood a parochial church, said to have been founded by the patron Saint of Ireland ; who is also said to have bap- tized his first converts at a well, situated in the north ST PATRICK'S ; :• • * PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 95 The choir service is performed in St. Patrick's Ca- thedral every Sunday at three o’clock in the afternoon. It affords a rich treat to the lovers of music. The splendid manner in which this venerable structure is illu- minated upon those occasions, during the winter months, renders the scene altogether uncommonly attractive. PARISH CHURCHES. There are nineteen Parishes, namely, St. Andrew's, Anne’s, Audeon’s, Bridget's or Bride’s, Catherine’s, George’s, James’s, John’s, Luke’s, Mark’s, Mary's, Michael’s, Michan’s, Nicholas within, Nicholas with- out, Paul’s, Peter’s, Thomas's, and Werburgh's, to all of which churches are attached, except Nicholas with- out, the church of which is in ruins. In addition to these, there are Kevin's church united to St. Peter’s, and St. George's, Temple- street , a chapel of ease. CHURCHES SOUTH OF THE LIFFEY. St. Audeon's, ( or, St. Owen’s,) Audeons Arch . This venerable building was erected before the En- glish invasion, but at what period is now uncertain. It is constructed of common quarry stone, with a steeple at the west end, in which there is a good ring of bells. Its external appearance is rude, and the in- terior gloomy and inelegant. About the year 1190, it was made a Prebendary of the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s, by Archbishop Comyn, who made a grant of the church to the convent of Grace Dieu ; but his successor, Henry de Loundres, revoked that grant; and in lieu of the church of St. Audeon’s, bestowed upon the nunnery, the parish church of Ballymadon, with the chapel belonging thereto. The patronage of this pa- rish is in the Archbishop of Dublin. In the year 1670, the spire of this church was rebuilt. There are some monuments of antiquity to be met here, on most of which the dates and inscriptions are illegible. 96 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. St. Andrew’s, ( St . Andrew-Street.) Previous to the year 1665, the Church of this parish had been wholly demolished for many years, whereby the in- habitants had no place for the public service of God. To remedy this evil an act of Parliment was passed in this year to authorize the parishioners to rebuild their parish church, by contribution amongst themselves; and if the amount of such voluntary contributions should not be found sufficient to defray the expense, the church-wardens, and majority of the inhabitants were empowered to rate and assess the several houses within the parish to supply the deficiency. By this act, Arthur Earl of Anglesey, Sir J ohn Temple, and Sir Maurice Eustace, were appointed church-wardens, to continue in office for two years; and Richard Lin- gart, Professor of Divinity in Trinity College, was appointed the first Vicar or incumbent of this parish. And as the Rectory of the Church of St. Andrew, an- ciently belonged to the Precentor of the Cathedral of St. Patrick’s, it was enacted that the then Precentor of St. Patrick’s and his successors should be Rector or Rectors of said Parish, and have the sum of £10 sterling annually paid him, or them, by the Vicar or incumbent of the same, for the time being. By the same act the church-wardens of this parish were constituted a corporate body ; and the presentation to the Y 7 icarage was vested in the Lord Chancellor, Archbishop of Dublin, Vice Treasurer of his Majesty’s Revenue, the Lord Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, Chief Ba- ron of the Exchequer, and Master of the Rolls, and their successors for the time being, or any four of them. This church was originally situated near the Castle, but it was rebuilt on the present site in the form of an ellipsis, from which it was generally deno- minated the Round Church. Becoming again de- cayed, it was, in the year 1793, found necessary to re- build it with the exception of the lower part of the PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 97 old walls. It now presents an elipsis of 80 feet by 60, and it is 43 feet to the cornice. The exterior is ex- tremely uninteresting, presenting to the eye a low ves- tibule of mountain granite, with urns on the wings, and on the centre a statue of 'St. Andrew, with his cross. The interior is, however, a complete contrast to the outside, being light, firmly proportioned, and highly decorated. The south side of the elipsis is oc- cupied by the reading-desk and pulpit, over which rises the organ. The communion-table in front, en- closed by a handsome semi-eliptical railing, forms one side of the oval area that occupies the centre of the church, which is beautifully floored with black and white stone. From this diverge, like radii, the passages to the seats, which rise in the form of an am- phitheatre. The gallery forms a graceful oval, nearly round the church, and is supported by fluted columns, with highly ornamented capitals. From the centre of the ceiling, which is on a plan of uncommon beauty, is suspended, by a gilt chain, the magnificent branch that formerly graced the House of Commons ; it having been presented by Government to this parish. St. Anne’s, ( Dawson-sireet ). This church, though of modem erection, has nothing in its external appear- ance to recommend it to notice, fts interior, however, is lightsome, and tastefully laid out. The parish of St. Anne was formerly part of the ancient parish of St. Bridget, and of the united parishes of St- Ke- vin and St. PHer ; but in the sixth year of the reign of Queen Anne, (1707,) Joshua Dawson, Fisq. having laid out for building a large scope gf ground, lying be- tween the road leading to St. Patrick’s Well, (now enclosed in the Fellows’ Garden of Trinity College,) and the north side of Stephen’s Green, then in the united parishes of St. Peter and St. Kevin, it was con'* ceived that when the buildings should be finished, they would contain more inhabitants than could be well ac- commodated in the parish church of St. Peter; and F 08 .PICTURE OF DUBLIN^ that part of the parish church of St. Bridget, which included the east side of William-street, that part of Chequer-lane (Exchequer-street,) leading from the north end of William-street to Grafton -street, part of South King-street, Clarendon Market, the Square, and all Clarendon street, being thought too remote from the parish church of St. Bridget, it Was therefore or- dained by Act of Parliament, that after the death, ces- sion, promotion, or surrender of John Kernes, Clerk, then Vicar of the united parishes of St. Peter and St, Kevin, and James Duncan, Clerk, then Curate or Minister of St. Bridget’s, these tracts should be sepa- rated from their respective parishes, and erected into a new parish, to be called the Parish of St. Anne. Joshua Dawson, Esq. having given ground for the site of the church and church-yard, &c. was, in considera- tion thereof, to have the first presentation of a Vicar, or Minister of the parish ; but the right of presentation, collation, &c. was for ever after to be vested in the Archbishop of Dublin, St. Bridget’s, or St. Bride’s, ( Bride-street ). The ancient church of this parish was built before the Eng- lish invasion, but the exact date cannot now be ascer- tained. The present parish church of St. Bridget was erected in A. D. 1684. It is 72 feet long and 40 feet broad, with its east gable, (in which are two large arched windows) towards Bride-street ; and, what was intended for its front, stretching along Bride’s Alley. In this front are two large arched door-cases, now built up. The exterior of this building is inelegant, but the interior is lightsome, well ventilated, and, if not handsomely, is, at least, comfortably fitted up. This ancient parish was once more extensive than it is at present. By Act of Parliament, made in the year . 1707, a part of it was taken off ; which, together with a part of the united parishes of St. Kevin and St. Pe- ter, were formed into a new parish, to be called the parish of St. Anne. 1’ICTURE OP DUBLIN* 99 St. James’s, (James s-streef) . The original parish church of St. James, in the suburbs of Dublin, be- ing built before the English invasion, the exact time of its erection cannot now be known. The present parish church is a modern structure, without any ex- ternal decoration, and is built, probably, on the site of the ancient church, within the cemetry at the rere of the houses on the north side of James’s-street. The ancient parish of St. James extended, east and west, from the great bridge, and the New Gate of the city, to the bounds of Kilmainham. In the year 1196, King John made a grant of this church to the Abbey of St. Thomas the Martyr, for the support and mainte - tenance of the poor ; and this grant was confirmed by Henry, his successor. At a subsequent period the pa- rish was divided, the chapel of St. Catherine made a parish church, and the part taken from the old parish of St. James was called the parish of St. Catherine. At a still later period these parish churches were again united, and were known by the name of the united parishes of St. Catherine, St. James, and St. John of Kilmainham. But, in the sixth year of the reign of queen Anne, (1707,) these united parishes, being found too large to continue longer as one parish, an x\ct of Parliament was passed by which they were, from the 25th of December, in that year, divided into two several and distinct vicarages, or parishes, and to be called by the names of the Parish of St. Catherine and the Parish of St. James. Under a monument, with a long inscription in Latin, in the church-yard of St. James, lies interred the celebrated Toby Butler, one of those who drew up the Articles of Limerick, on the part of the Irish, in the year 1691 ; and who af- terwards pleaded the cause of the Catholics at the bar of both Houses of Parliament in 1703, when the Ar- ticles were about to be broken through by passing the \ct for preventing the further growth of Popery. 100 PICTURE OF DUBlT.V. St. Catherine’s, (Thomas- street,) was originally built in the year 1105, and rebuilt in the present form in 1769, according to the design of Mr. John Smith, by different parliamentary grants amounting to 70001. the first of which was made in the year 1 759, with a considerable additional sum assessed on the parish. The front is of mountain-granite in the Doric order : four semi-columns, with an entablature enriched by triglyphs, are surmounted by a noble pediment in the centre. The entablature, which is continued the entire length of the front, is supported at each ex- tremity by two pilasters. In the centre, between the columns, is an Ionic arched door, with a circular pedi- ment, and in the intermediate space between the columns and the pilasters are two series of well pro- portioned circular-headed windows. On each side of the pediment is a handsome stone ballustrade. The interior of the church is eighty feet by fortyrnine, and every part is solid and convenient. Eight Corinthian pillars rise from the galleries, on which the roof seems to rest, though in fact it extends from wall to wall without any intermediate support. The communion- table is decorated by Composite columns, interspersed with stucco ornaments. The architectural beauty of this church is much admired. St. Michael’s, ( High-street ). The ancient church of St. Michael was originally erected by Donat, bishop of Dublin, who succeeded to that see in the year 1038, and died in 1074 ; and who also built Christ Church and the Church of St. Nicholas within the ' walls of the city of Dublin. St. Michael’s was erected into a parish church by Richard Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin, who was consecrated in the year 1417 and died in 1449. The old church of St. Michael was a large building, of which the steeple, still standing and attached to the new church, was a part. It remained in ruins for many years, during which divine service for the parish was performed in the chapel of St. Mary PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 101 in Christ Church. It was taken down a few years since, except the steeple, which was then repaired, and pinnacles were erected on its angles. The present edifice occupies only a part of the site of the ancient church. It is a very small but neat structure, built in the Gothic style of architecture, handsomely fitted up within, but void of all external ornament. This church is a prebendary of Christ Church. St. Werburgh’s, ( Werburgh-street ). Previous to the English invasion, the parish now called St. Wer- burgh’s parish was called the parish of St. Martin ; and the parish church of St. Martin stood by the mill of the poole, close by the city wall at Ship-street. After the English invasion the ancient parish church of St. Werburgh was erected close by the old church of St. Martin, the ruins of which were still visible in the year 1532, as we are told by Archbishop Alan in his Repertorium viride written in that year. In the second year of the reign of George the First, (1715) the old parish church of St Werburgh was so de- cayed and ruinous, as to make it unsafe for the parishioners to assemble therein, to perform divine service, and so small in extent, that several of the inhabitants of the parish were forced wholly to neglect the worship of God, or resort to other parish churches. On this account it was found necessary to rebuild the church in a more capacious manner. But the parishi- oners being mostly shop-keepers and tradesmen, they were unable to bear the additional expense of rebuild- ing their church. To assist in this necessary work, the king made a grant to the minister and parishioners, of the plot of ground on which the Treasury for- merly stood, to be set or sold by them for the building of the church. By Act of Parliament passed in the same year, (1715) commissioners were appointed for carrying on the building, and calculating the necessary expense attending the same. And as the money produced by the sale of this ground was not found sufficient te F 3 102 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. defray the expense, the minister, church-wardens and parishioners, to the number of twenty at the least, assembled in vestry, were impowered to as- sess the houses, lands, &c. of the parish, for the pur- pose of making up the deficiency. In the year 1754, this church was burned, and was restored in its present beauliful form in 1750. The elevation of the front displays both elegance and delicacy, and is perfect in its proportions. The first story is ornamented with six Ionic pilasters, with their entablatures, a grand en- trance in the Doric order, and two side doors. The second story is in the Corinthian order, crowned by a pediment. Here the steeple assumes the form of a square, enriched on each side by two Composite pillars with their pedestals and entablatures. A spire sur- mounted the whole, which has been lately taken down from well grounded apprehensions of its insecurity. This spire was extremely light and elegant, forming at some distance from the base an octagon, and supported entirely by eight rusticated columns in the Composite order. A gilt ball and vane terminated the whole. This steeple and spire having been 160 feet high, and placed in an elevated situation, formed one of the principal ornaments of the city, from whatever side it was approached. The interior of the church possesses a noble and awful simplicity. It is 80 feet in length by 52 in breadth. An extensive range of Doric pil- asters with their entablatures, supports the gallery, in which is one of the most elegant organs in the city. Under the organ is a seat for the Lord Lieutenant, (the Castle being in this parish,) which was much fre- quented previous to the rebuilding of the Castle Chapel. The altar-piece is finely ornamented by a range of Ionic columns, with suitable compartments, ornamented with drapery and festoons of flow 7 ers. St. Luke’s ( Lower Coombe- ) This is a large stone building without any external ornament, and dark and gloomy in the interior. It is erected on rising ground PICTURE OF DUBLIN*. 10 ?» at the rere of the houses on the north side of New Mar- ket, and has a passage leading to it from Skinners Alley, but its principal entrance is at the head of an avenue leading from the Coombe, and planted on both sides with rows of elm trees* It was erected in the early part of the last century, and has the appearance of* be- ing a durable building. In the 6th year of the reign of Queen Anne, (1707) the parish of St. Nicholas Without, being found too large for its parish church, was, by Act of Parlia- ment, divided into two distinct parishes, so soon as the parish of St. Nicholas Without should become vacant by the death, cession or surrender of the then in- cumbent. The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral of St. Patrick have the right of electing and no- minating on every vacancy, a curate to each of these pa- rishes. The expense of building the new church of St. Luke was defrayed by voluntary contributions, and by assessment on the parishioners. St. Mark’s, (Mark's Street , near Townsend Street). This is a large plain edifice, the building of which was commenced early in the last century, before which period no such parish or parish church as that of St. Mark existed in Dublin. But in the year 1707, it being found that the parish of St. Andrew was too large for its parish church, an Act of Parliament was passed for dividing it into two several vicarages or parishes, as soon as the parish should become vacant by the death, cession, promotion or surrender of the then incumbent, John Travers, Doctor in Divinity; these parishes to be called the parish of St. Andrew, and the parish of St. Mark. For the site of this church and church-yard, &c. Mr. John Hansard of Lazy Hill (Lazor s Hill, now Townsend Street,) gave the ground, containing from North to South 160 feet, and from East to West 250 feet. The funds for erect- ing this church were to be raised by private subscriptions and by assessment on all the houses of the parish, ex- 104 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. eept that of of John Hansard, which was particularly excluded from such assessment by Act of Parliament. In the year 1729, the foundation of this building was laid, but the work was carried on at a very slow rate, and upwards of 30 years elapsed between its founda- tion and its completion. To assist the parishioners in erecting the edifice, Parliament, in the year 1753, granted the sum of £500, and in the year 1755, a similar sum was granted, by Parliament : and again, in the -year 1757, Parliament granted an additional sum of one thousand pounds to the church-wardens, to enable them to build galleries in the church, and to hang a bell. 'St. Peter’s, ( Aungier Street.) The ancient pa- lish church of St. Peter stood a little to the north of the present church, within the precincts of the Carme- lite convent, founded in the year 1230, by Sir Robert Bagot, Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, to which convent the church and parish of St. Peter belonged. The present building was erected early in the last cen- tury. It is built in the form of a cross, with a belfry on the gable of the west transept, in which are hung two bells. It appears to be better, and more neatly built, than the other churches, that were erected in Dublin about the same period, but still its external ap- pearance is uninteresting. The interior, however, is fitted up with elegance, and no church in the city is resorted to by a more fashionable congregation. This parish has been united to that of St. Kevin for a num- ber of years, and was,, until the year 1707, much more extensive than it is at present. But in that year it was thought that the parish was too large for the church, and therefore, by an Act of Parliament then passed, that part of the parish which lay north of Ste- phen’s Green was detached from it, and together with a part taken from the parish of St. Bridget, formed into the new parish of St. Anne, as before mentioned. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 10O The parish of St. Peter is a Rectory, and the patro- nage is in the Archbishop of Dublin. St. Kevin’s, ( Upper Kevin Street.) The ancient church of St. Kevin was erected before the English invasion, but the exact period cannot be ascertained. It was a parish church, dedicated to St. Caoimhgin, (pronounced Kevin) first Abbot and Bishop of Glan- dalogh, which see formerly extended northwards to the walls of Dublin. The parish of St. Kevin has been for a long period united to the parish of St. Peter, which originally was part of the parish of St. Kevin. The present parish church is a stone building, of mo- dern erection, without any exterior ornament. It is built on the site of the ancient church, nearly in the centre of the cemetery, which is much used as a place of sepulture, and in which there are several handsome monuments. Amongst these, there is one in the form of an obelisk, surmounted by a cross, erected to the me- mory of the Rev. John Austin, a Jesuit, formerly P. P. of St. Audeon’s, and a celebrated preacher. The church of St. Kevin is now a chapel of ease to St* Peter’s. St. Nicholas Within, ( Nicholas Street .) The ancient church of St. Nicholas within the walls of the city of Dublin, was built from the founda- tion by Donat, Bishop of Dublin, the first of the Ost- men that was raised to that dignity, and who, with the assistance of Sitric, the Danish king of Dublin, erected the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, or Christ Church, about the year 1038. The present church of St. Nicholas Within was erected in the year 1707. Its front is of hewn stone, with a large arched door- case in the centre, over which, in the first story, is a large arched window, with a smaller arched window on each side. In the second story is another arched window, immediately under the roof of the church Over this rises a square belfry 12 or 14 feet above the 106 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. roof, with openings on each side. This church, if placed in another situation, would make a respectable appear- ance ; hut it is completely hidden on the north and east, and partly so on the south side, by the houses that are built up against it. The west end, which is the front, faces to Nicholas-street, which is here so narrow that a stranger, in passing, can hardly take notice of the church ; if it should attract his attention, he cannot view its struc- ture without inconvenience. The Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick’s have the appointment of a curate to this parish. St. Nicholas Without. The original church of this parish was built at a very remote period, and is said to have stood on a piece of ground between Patrick- street and Francis-street, where Limerick Alley now stands. Be this as it may, we have the authority of Archbishop x\lan to say, that, at a very early period the church of St. Nicholas stood on the Coombe. In process of time, the north transept of the cathedral of St. Patrick was used as the parish church of St. Nicholas Without, and this must have happened as early as the establishment of the cathedral, by Archbishop Com in in the year 1190, or very shortly after ; for by a valua- tion of ecclesiastical benefices made in the year 1302, and which is to be found at folio 177 of Archbishop Alan's Register, commonly called the Black Book of the Archbishops of Dublin, the two churches of St. Nicholas are described, as the church of St. Nicholas within the walls, and the church of St. Nicholas within the church of St. Patrick. An ancient proctor’s ac- count-roll of the year 1509, extant among the archives of the cathedral, describes the church of St. Nicholas Without in the same manner,” infra Ecclesiam Sancti Patricii !” By the Minute Book of the Chapter Acts, for the year 1662, it appears that the Dean and Chap- ter made an order in that year, to pave the street and passage, “ before St. Nicholas’s church, which is in the great North Close.” In the north transept of the PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 107 Cathedral of St. Patrick, divine service for the parish of St. Nicholas Without continued to be performed, un- til it became ruinous. In the year 1707, this parish was thought to be too large, and therefore by Act of Parliament made in that year, that part of the parish known by the name of tlie Donore district, was detached from it, and formed into a new parish, under the name of the parish of St. Luke; each parish to have distinct and separate parochial rights, clergymen and parish officers, as two distinct and several parishes, from the death, cession, promotion, or surrender of Doctor John Sterne, Dean of St. Patrick’s, then curate of the pa- rish of St. Nicholas Without. The north transept of the cathedral having fallen into ruin, the parishioners had no place in which to perform divine service, and to remedy this inconvenience they, in the year 1784, collected and subscribed a sum of money to rebuild the old church ; and in the years 1786 and 1793, x\cts of Parliament were passed, to authorise and empower the church- wardens and parishioners to assess the houses of the parish, in a sum not to exceed the minis- ters money each year, to be applied for the same pur- pose; and they actually raised the walls, but from want of means or some such cause, the work was dis- continued. The present curate and church-wardens, with the consent of the Dean and Chapter, have lately applied to the Board of First Fruits, for a loan to build a new church, for the use of the parish ; and the Board, in compliance with their request, have granted £3000 for that purpose. With this sum, and the mo- ney that was previously collected and assessed on the parish, the northern transept of the cathedral is now rebuilding, for a parish church to St; Nicholas With- out. This building when finished, together with the improvements lately made in the cathedral, will greatly contribute to restore to that venerable edifice some portion of its original beauty. The parish being without a church wherein to oer- 108 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. form Divine Service, the parishioners have for that purpose agreed with the Dean and Chapter of St. Patrick's to rent St. Mary's chapel, within the cathe- dral, (commonly called the French church, from its having been set to the French congregation.) In this chapel, for which the parishioners pay an annual rent of £*30, they now perform Divine Service. The Dean and Chapter have the appointment of the curates of this parish, and of the parishes of St. Luke and St. Nicholas Within, St. John's, ( Fishamble-street.) The original church of the parish of St. John, was built before the Eng- lish invasion in A. D. 1168, and was a prebend of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity or Christ Church. This old church having fallen into decay, it was rebuilt from the foundation by Arnold Usher, who, according to an inquisition taken post mortem , died in 1529. But that church also having become ruinous, it was found necessary to again rebuild it. For this purpose, an Act of Parliament was passed, in the seventh year of the late king (1767) by which the sum of 10001. was granted in aid of the parishioners, towards defray- ing the expense of the building, and in the eleventh of the same king, (1771) a similar grant of a like sum was made by Parliament for the same purpose. This church stands on a piece of ground 75 feet long by 33 feet in breadth. It is a handsome building, with a front of mountain granite, the pediment of which is supported by four Corinthian columns. There are three circular arched windows in front between the columns ; and the interior of the building is lighted by a number of circular arched windows in the flank-walls. CHURCHES NORTH OF THE LIFFEY. Antecedent to the 17th century there was no pa- rish church in the city of Dublin, north of the Liffey, except that of St. Mich an. But at that period it was found necessary to increase the num> PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 109 ber of churches on that side of the river, to answer the increase of the population and extent of the city. For this purpose an Act of Parliament was passed in the ninth year of the reign of King William the Third, for dividing this parish into three several parishes, to be called the new parish of St. Michan, the parish of St. Mary, and the parish of St. Paul, each to be independent of the other, and to have parochial rights as separate parishes, from the 20th day of Novem- ber, 1697. By this iVct it was"provided, that the new parish church in the parish of St. Michan and the rectory thereof should be, and be called, the prebend of St. Michan, belonging to the cathedral of Christ Church, Dublin, as the old rectory was : and the same church with church-yard, vestry house, &c. belonging to the said old parish should for ever, after the said 20th of November, be for the use of the minister and parishioners of the said new parish of St. Michan. St. Michan’s, ( Church Street.) This respectable old church, though one of the largest, is said to be the best for distinct hearing in Dublin. In the church- yard adjoining lie the remains of the once celebrated Doctor Charles Lucas, under a common grave-stone, on which is the following inscription: To the Memory of Charles Lucas, M. D. formerly one of the Representatives in Parliament for the City of Dublin ; whose incorrupt Integrity ; unconquered Spirit, just Judgment, and glorious Perseverance, In the great cause of Liberty, Virtue, and his Country Endeared him to bis grateful Constituents. This Tombstone is placed over his muPh-respected remains, as a small, yet sincere tribute of Remembrance, by one of 110 PICTURE' OF DUBLIN^ his Fallow-citizens and Constituents, Sir Edward Newenham Knight. Lucas ! Hibernians Friend, her joy and pride, Her powerful bulwark, and her skilful guide, Firm in the Senate, steady to his trust, Unmoved by fear, and obstinately just. Charles Lucas, bom 26th September, 1713. Died November 4th, 1771. St. Mary's.. ( Man ; Street ). Until the commence- ment of the last century, this church did not exist, nor was there any parish in Dublin of this name. In the ninth year of William the Third, an Act of Parliament was passed for dividing the ancient parish of St. Michan, into three, distinct parishes from the 20th day of No- vember, 1097, to be caued by the names of the new parish of St. Michan, the parish of St. Mary, and the parish of St. Paul. By the same Act a considerable plot of ground, was appropriated to the building of a church, on the south side of Mary-street r opposite Sir Arthur Cole’s house, where the Lord Chancellor then dwelt. The church is finely situated, pre- senting three sides to public view, hut its style of architecture and its exterior appearance altogether are mean and uninteresting The principal entrance from Stafford -street is ornamented with Ionic columns, and over it is a tower of wretched architecture. The interior of the church which is 72 feet by 52, is not inconve- nient. The galleries are supported by heavy octagonal pillars, over which are Ionic columns, that sustain the roof. Numerous monumental inscriptions crowd the walls of this church, two of which are consecrated by public gratitude to distinguished worth. A hand- some tablet of white marble in the north gallery re- cords the virtues of the Rev. Robert Law, D. D. for seventeen years rector of this parish, who died J une 11th, 1789. In the south back aisle is a similar tablet to the memory of Mr. William Watson* A. B. T. C. D. PICTURE OF DUBLIN, ill who departed this life May 26th, 1805, aged 72 years. The inscription informs ns, that this worthy citizen first conceived the plan of the Association for discoun- tenancing vice, and promoting the knowledge and practice of the Christian religion. The tablet is crowned with a funeral urn, and the volumes of the Old and New Testament. Beneath the inscrip- tion is a representation of the seal of the Asso- ciation, and on the open volumes which form the centre of it are those words from St. John's Gospel : Search the Scriptures , for in them ye think ye have eternal life , and they are they which testify of me . This memorial was erected at the expense of the society of which Mr. Watson was the founder. St. Paul's, (North King Street.) This church in its external appearance has nothing to recommend it to notice. It was erected at the close of the 1 7tli cen- tury, when the division of St. Michan's parish took place, a plot of ground lying at the south end of Ox- mantown Green, containing from east to west 120 feet, and from south to north 250 feet, being granted for that purpose This edifice has been for some years in a bad condition, but preparations are now making to take it down and rebuild it. St. Thomas’s, ( Marlborough Street ,) was finished in 1762, having been four years in building, under the inspection of Mr. John Smith. The front of this church is an elegant composition of Roman and Gre- cian architecture; two pilasters and two three-quarter columns in the Composite order, of excellent work- manship, support an entablature and pediment. In the centre of the front between the columns is a grand Corinthian door, with an angular pediment- The Corinthian entablature is continued at each side to the extremity of the building, with pilasters, architraves, &c. Connected with the front by a circular wall are two advanced gates built in a handsome stile, which form elegant and well proportioned wings to the body of the 112 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. building, and make the entire extent of the front 182 feet. The interior of the church, which is 80 feet by 52, is extremely well designed, and decorated by co- lumns of the Corinthian order, which support the gallery. The communion-table is also enriched by columns in the same order, which rise to the ceiling. The ornaments are numerous, though not crowded, and the stucco-work is particularly admired. Towards defraying the expense of this building Parliament granted, in the year 1757, the sum of two thousand pounds to Sir Ralph Gore, Bart, and Richard Dawson Esq. to be by them accounted for to Parlia- ment. And again in the year 1759, the sum of one thousand pounds was granted to the same persons, tow- ards finishing the church of St. Thomas in the city of Dublin. The parish of St. Thomas was taken off the parish of St. Mary previous to the erection of this church. St. George's. Shortly after the erection of St. Mary’s church, in the early part of the last century, the houses in the east end of that parish having increased very much in number, it was found necessary to build a chapel of ease, for the ac- comodation of the inhabitants of this remote part. For this purpose the old church of St. George was erected in Temple-street, at the north side of the east end of Britain-street, But the houses and parishioners, still increasing in this neighbourhood, the parish of St. Mary was divided, and the new parish of St. Tho- mas was formed, and. its parish church built. After the lapse of a few years, the city had increased so much to the north east, that it was conceived necessary to create another parish in that district, and to erect a new parish church, for the convenience of the inhabitants. For this purpose an Act of Parliament was passed in the 33d year of the late king, (1793,) disposing of a district adjoining the city of Dublin, and marking its boundaries, to be formed into a new PICTURE OF DUBLfN. 113 parish, to be called the parish of St. George. By this Act a piece of ground was laid out near the bank of the Royal Canal, and vested in trustees, for the purpose of erecting a church, and making a cemetery for the ne,w parish ; leaving, however, a power in the trustees to change the site, with the consent of the parishioners, and to build the church in any other place within the parish that might be considered by them more convenient. A truly elegant edifice has been lately erected for the accommodation of this ex- tensive and opulent parish, which reflects great credit on the talents of Francis Johnston, Esq. the architect. The suiTounding streets having been built to correspond with the intended plan of this church, it possesses singular advantages. It stands completely insulated in the centre of a vast angular area, surrounded by re- gularly built houses, and terminating in the west in a graceful crescent, from which diverge three spacious, regular streets. The exterior of the church is 92 feet in front by 84 in depth, and in the rear is a projection of 22 feet by 40, which contains a vestry-room and parish-school. The entire, cased with hewn stone, presents four regular fronts to view, of the antique Ionic order, with decorations bold and well executed. The principal entrance is from the Crescent, which is ornamented with a noble portico of four beautifully fluted Ionic columns, three feet six inches in diameter, supporting an angular pediment. The portico extends 42 feet with a projection of 15 , and over it rises the steeple, which is also of hewn stone highly decorated. It is divided into four stories, and surmounted by a hand- some spire, and the whole measures in height 200 feet from the pavement. The dimensions of the interior are 84 feet by 60. There are no pillars under the gallery, which renders the appearance of the church uncommonly light and elegant, the gallery seeming as if suspended in air. The timbers which support it, projecting from the walls, rest on a partition which 114 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. separates the aisles from the body of the church, and thus this pleasing effect has been produced. — The whole of the interior decorations fully corrrespond with the superb outside of this church. ANCIENT ABBIES, &c. St. Mary’s Abbey. Pembridge in his Annals of Ireland, and some of the native Annalists, assert that the Abbey of St. Mary was founded by Maolseaghlaim, the first of that name who was monarch of Ireland, and vvho commenced his reign in A. D. 846, according to the Annals of Innisfallen, or 847, according to the Annals of the Four Masters, and died in the year 862. Archdall, however, asserts, without quoting any authority for his opinion, that it was founded by the Danes in the year 948, and argues from its situation on the north side of the Lilfey, and its contiguity to the Danish settlement at Dublin, that it was not likely the natives would attempt to establish a religious house in the vicinity of foreigners, with whom they were in a state of warfare. Plausible as this argument may appear, it is not sufficient to weigh against authority ; be- sides, it should be remembered that it was only in the year 948, that the Danes of Dublin received the Christian religion, and that it was not earlier than the year 1038, they founded the priory of the Holy Trinity, within the walls of Dublin. Now if they were engaged in a constant state of warfare with the native Irish, as they certainly were, and that they could not or did not direct their attention to the foundation of religious establishments within their own city, what probability is there that they would, in the same year in which they became Christians, found a religious house within the precincts of their enemies. This abbey, at its first foundation, was for the Benedictine Order ; but in the year 1139, it was granted to the Monks of the Cister- cian Order, and the Benedictine Friars were compelled PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 115 by Malachy O’ Morga, then Legate from the Pope to conform to the Cistercian rule. The catalogue of the early Abbots of this house is extremely defective; James, its first abbot, died on the 1 1th of January, but in what year is unascertained. Maurice, the se- cond abbot, died on the 19tli of January, A. D. 908. But from that period to the year 1113, when the abbot Michael died, we have no account of this establishment. In the year 1 132 the abbot Everard, an Ostman , died on the 10th of April. The particular mention of this abbot being an Ostman , is an additional argument to prove that this house was an Irish, and not a Danish foundation ; for if the Danes were the founders, it is more than probable the abbots would be of that nation, and therefore it would not be noted as an extraordinary occurence, that this abbot was an Ostman . From the death of Everard to the final suppression of the abbey, in the year 1537, the catalogue of the abbots seems to be complete. In the year 1238, Felix Q J Ruadan, who had been Archbishop of Tuam, and who in 1235, resigned his see, and retired to this house, to which he had been a great benefactor, died, in the abbey, and was buried at the foot of the altar, on the left hand. In the year 1718, while digging in the ruins, there was found a prelate in his pontificals, uncorrupted, and supposed to have been this Arch- bishop ; his coffin was again replaced. In the year 1304, on the 27th of May, St. Mary's abbey, with its church and steeple, was destroyed by fire. It was at that time the repository of the rolls of Chancery, all of which were consumed, to the 28th of Edward I. ex- cept two rolls of that year, which were then in the hands of the Chancellor. This opulent house wa that the founder obtained a surreptitious bull from the then Pope, to ex- empt this Priory from the ordinary’s jurisdiction ; but in 1530, they spontaneously submitted themselves to the archbishop. In the"year 1308, Johnle Decer, mayor of Dublin, a man remarkable for charity, and for li- berality to religious establishments, built the chapel of St. Mary in this house. In 1316, on the approach of Edward Bruce to the city, the citizens set fire to Thomas-street, and the flames having caught the church of St. John, and the chapel of St. Magdalen, they were both consumed. In 1542, a pension of £15 a year was granted to Sir Thomas Everard, who was Prior at the time of the suppression of the house. After the suppression, the houses, site, and possessions of the priory, together with the priory of St. John the Baptist, near Drogheda, were granted to James Sedgrave of Dublin. There is an Augustinian Friary now standing on part of this ancient priory. The Friary of St. Saviour, or Black Friars. — This house was founded in the early part of the 13th century, by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke. It was situated in Oxmantown, close by the north bank of the Liffey, where the Four Courts now stand. It was originally intended for Cistercians, but the Do- minicans coming into Ireland in the year 1224, shortly after their institution, the Cistercians of Mary’s Abbey gave it up to them, on condition that they should yearly, on Christmas-day, offer a lighted taper at the Abbey of St. Mary. The Dominican church was erected on the Calends of May, 1228, under the invocation of our blessed Saviour, and on the spot where the chapel of St. Saviour stood. In 1308, John le Decer, then Mayor of Dublin, erected a large stone pillar in the church of this convent, and laid the great stone on the altar. He was a man of the most bene- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 121 volent disposition, and was particularly bountiful to religious and charitable institutions. On the sixth day in every week he entertained the brethren of this house at his own table, and, in a time of great scarcity, im- ported from France, three ships laden with corn, one of which he gave to the Lord Justice and Militia, another to the Dominican and Augustinian Seminaries, and the third he reserved for the more liberal exercise of his own hospitality. In 1316, the citizens of Dublin, terrified at the approach of Edward Bruce, destroyed the Dominican church and convent, and made use of the stones to strengthen the city walls about Audeon’s arch and Winetavern-street gate. But King Edward II. afterwards commanded the Mayor and citizens to restore the church to its former state. The new church was consecrated on the 5th of the Ides of July, 1402, by Thomas Cranley, Archbishop of Dublin. Patrick Hughes, the last prior of the house, surrendered it to the crown on the 8th of July, in the 31st year of King Henry VIII. Before the suppression the Mayor and Aldermen were obliged to assist at high mass, and to hear a sermon on the duties of magistrates, preached in the church of this house on every Michaelmas day. Since that period the old custom was supplied by an. annual perambulation on that day, of the Lord Mayor and Aldermen, from the Tholsel and through the gar- dens of this house, a custom that is still in some mea- sure observed by the annual march of the city officers, from the Assembly House to the front of the Four Courts. After the dissolution of this convent, the building was appropriated to the lawyers, and was called the King’s Inns. In 1662, the Court of Claims sat here, and in 1688, the Court of Grace; and during the abode of James II. in this country, he held a Parliament in the Cloisters. The registry of this priory is in the Cliandois Library ; and whoever wishes for farther in- formation on the subject, an ample account may be found in the annals of Mary’s Abbey, the ancient 122 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. registry of the city of Dublin, Archbishop King’s Ma- nuscript collection, and in Dudley Loftus’s Manu- script Miscellanies in Marsh’s Library. Besides these manuscript collections, further accounts may be found in O’Heyne’s Account of the Dominican Convents in Ireland, published at Louvain, in 1736, and in Burgo’s Hibernia Dominicana, published in 1762. Monastery of St,. Francis.— Clyn, in his Annals, and Wadding, in his History of the Franciscans, relate that this order first came into Ireland in A. D. 1231 ; and in the following year, Richard Marshall, Earl of Pembroke, founded a convent for them at Kilkenny. In 1236, King Henry III. encouraged them to build a convent in Dublin, for which purpose Ralph le Porter granted them the site in the south w^est suburbs, the spot on which the Roman Catholic chapel now stands on the east side of Francis-street. On the 8th ©f October in this year, a liberate was issued for the payment of ten marks to forward the building ; and in 1244, the King ordered a grant for the payment of 4*20, on the Feast of Ail Saints annually, to purchase tu nicks for the Franciscans of Dublin, Waterford, Cork,, Limerick and Drogheda. In the year 1308, John le D^per, Mayor of Dublin, built a chapel in this monastery, under the invocation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in which he was interred after his death, in the year 1332. We haye already spoken of the bountiful disposition of this good man, and have now to mention, on the authority of Wadding, that, on every Friday, lie supplied the Friars of this house with every thing necessary for the maintenance of that day. At the general suppression of the monastic establishments i# Ireland, this house underwent the fate of the rest, and the convent and its possessions in Dublin and Clon- dalkin, were granted for ever to Thomas Stephens, at the annual rent of two shillings Irish, per annum. There are preserved in the Chandois Library, extracts PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 123 from the conventual book of tlie Franciscans of Dublin. Monastery of the Holy Trinity. — This house was founded in the year 1259, by the Talbots of Tern- ple-oge, near Dublin, ancestors to the Duke of Tir- connell, for Eremites of the order of St. Augustine. This convent was very considerable, and was the general college of all the Friars of this order in Ireland. It stood near the bank of the Liffey, in the east suburbs of Dublin, on the ground where Crow-street theatre has been since erected. In July in the 34th year of the reign of King Henry VIII. this house and its posses- sions were surrendered to the King ; all of which, ex- cept the lands of Rathnecloyge, were granted for ever to William Tyrrell, at the yearly rent of 6s. Id. Irish money. They were afterwards assigned to Nicholas Netterville, and from him passed to William Crow, from whom Crow-street is named. Monastery of the Carmelites or White Friars. — About the year 1274, the Carmelite Friars having obtained possession of some tenements in the city of Dublin, from Roger Oweyne, James de Bermingham, and Nicholas Bacuir, they applied to King Edward 1. for permission to build a church thereon. On this application the King issued his writ, commanding the bailiffs and citizens of Dublin to permit the Friars to inhabit the same, and to build their church without let or hindrance. This the citizens opposed, on account of the great privileges the Carmelite churches possessed, and shewed the inconveniences the citizens must suffer by having the church erected in Dublin. Not being able to procure a settlement for themselves within ..the city, Sir Robert Baggot,* Chief Justice of the * Sir Robert Baggot, whose successors were Lords of the Manor of Baggot Rath, in the vicinity of Dublin, was the ancestor of the noble family of Fitzwilliam, in Ireland, though Lodge erroneously traces their origin to another source. The name of William was common in this family, and hence came the names of William Fits- William, Robert Fitz- William, &c. until at length Fit^- william was adopted as the patronymic name of the family. G 2 124 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. King’s Bench, purchased for them, from the Cister- cians of the abbey of Baltinglass, a piece of ground in the south suburbs of the city, on which he founded a convent in 1278. In 1320, John Sugdacus, Provin- cial of the Carmelites, held a chapter of the order here, as did also David O’Buge, in f a short time after. In 1333, the Parliament sat in the hall of this monastery. At the general suppression of monastic institutions, in the reign of Henry VIII. this house was surren- dered to the Crown, and in the month of July, in the 34th y ear of the same King, the monastery, with several messuages, &c. was granted for ever to Nicholas Stanihurst, at the yearly rent of 2s. 6d. Irish money. It was afterwards granted by Queen Elizabeth to Francis Aungier, who in 1621, was created Baron of Longford, and who made his residence there until his dealh in 1632. It was afterwards the residence of his grandson, Francis, Earl of Longford, until his death in 1700, and after his decease it was occupied by Ambrose, Earl of Longford, who dying without issue, in 1704, the titles of the Earl and Baron of Longford, became extinct. After the death of this last mentioned peer, the house fell into decay, and in 1732, the theatre of Aungier-street, near Longford-street, was erected on its site. From the religious men of this convent, Whitefriar-street, and from the peers, Aungier-street and Longford-street, took their several denominations. The Monastery of Witeschan. — The exact site of this house, as well as the religious community to which .it belonged, is not now known, but that it stood somewhere about the Coombe, may be inferred from an inquisition taken in the reign of King Richard II. concerning the franchises of the city. In this inqui- sition the following passage occurs : — “ In the west part of Dublin, passing from the cathedral of St. Patrick, through the Coombe, to the poole of the house of St. Thomas the Martyr, leaving the south gate of the monastery of Witeschan , and the Conelan towards PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 125 the north, on the left hand.’’ No other mention of this structure is to be found in any of the records. St Mary les Dames.— Archdall, in his Monasticon, says that this house was a nunnery, and places it with- out the east gate of the city, which from thence was called the gate of St. Mary les Dames, and for this assertion refers to the authority of Harris, at page 224. But Harris, at the place cited, does not say that the nunnery stood without the gate; on the contrary, Harris, in his History of Dublin, pages 57 and 61, assigns the church of St. Mary les Dames a place within the city. The fact t is that this church stood on the ground where Cork-house was afterwards erected, and Cork-hill and the Royal Exchange, now occupy a part of its precincts. That it ever was a nunnery may be fairly questioned. Archbishop Alan, in his Repertorium viride , written in 1532, calls it a parish church, of which the inhabitants of the castle, and a few others, w r ere the parishioners ; but he does not say that it belonged to a nunnery or any other religious establishment, as he does when speaking of the church of St. Peter, and of St. George’s Church in GeorgeV lane, or as it is now called, South Great George’s- street. The patronage of this church belonged to the Archbishop of Dublin, and in consideration that the parishioners were so few% and the income too small to support a clergyman. Archbishop Brown united it to the parish of St. Werburgh. In St. Mary’s Church there was a statue of the Blessed Virgin, with a crown on her head, with which Lambert Simnel, the pseudo Earl of Warwick, w T as crowned King in the priory of the Holy Trinity, or Christ Church, in 1487. St. Sepulchres. — The order of Knights Templars was founded at Jerusalem, in A. D, 1118, by Hugo de Paganis, and Gufrid de St. Aidermaro, who, with seven followers, for the sake of the pilgrims, under- took to secure* the roads leading to Jerusalem, from all robberies and outrages. They had a residence assigned G 3 126 PICTURE OF DUBLIX. them by King Baldwin, near the Temple in Jerusalem, and from that circumstance were called Knights Tem- plars. From the time of their institution, until their order was confirmed in the Council of Troyes, their number did not exceed nine, but from that period it rapidly increased, and in less than fifty years there were three hundred Knights of this order, besides a vast number of inferior brethren; and by the zealous contributions of Christian kingdoms, they had houses erected in most countries. They rendered great service against the Infidels, but having at length lost Syria, they returned to Europe, a*id were then, as some say, unjustly, accused of heresy and other crimes, hard to be believed, and unfit to be named. In the Council of Lyons they were condemned, and their livings assigned to the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem, called also Knights Hospitallers, Knights of Rhodes, and, in more modern times, Knights of Malta, Se- veral writers affirm, that it was the greatness of their possessions that excited the jealousy of others, and caused fictitious crimes to be imputed to them, of which they were perfectly innocent. However this may be, the Pope, in the year 1308, wrote to King Edward II. to apprehend and confine all the Tem- plars within his dominions. The King accordingly issued his writ to John Wogan, Lord Justice of Ireland,- for their apprehension, and to secure their lands. Their religious observance was at first nearly according to the rules of the Canons Regular, but St. Bernard afterwards prescribed them a rule, and they made their professions in the presence of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Their order had been approved in 1128, by Pope Honorius II. They wore a white habit, and Pope Eugenius IV. gave them leave to wear a cloak with a red cross. Their possessions in Ireland were generally given up to the Knights of Rhodes. They had a priory at a place in the suburbs of Dublin, called, by the Irish; Cas got, to which Walter de PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 127 Fernfield was a great benefactor, and from thfc name of the Manor of St. Sepulchre, it is supposed that it must have stood somewhere in Kevin-street. Some are of opinion that it was situated on the spot where af- terwards was erected the Archbishop's palace, now con- verted into a barrack and stables for the horse police of the city of Dublin. But if it stood at all in Kevin- street, there is more probability that it was opposite the Deanery-house, on the south side of that street, and west of Edge's-court, where, until within the last thirty years, were standing the mins of an extensive stone building, evidently a church or a castle, and on part of the walls of which houses were erected. St. Olave's Church, called an Abbey, by Archdall. — Archdall in his Monasticon Hibernicum, p. 173, says that “ King Henry II. having granted the city of Dublin to a colony from Bristol, they built this mo- nastery for such of their countrymen as should be in- clined to embrace the Order of St. Augustine." He also says, “ It stood in Castle-street, on the ground whereon Sir James Ware's house was afterwards erected, and where the buildings called Cole's-alley, have since been raised." For neither of these asser- tions has he produced any authority. The church of St. Olave was formerly a Rectory, the patronage of which belonged for some time to the Augustinian Abbey of Bristol. It was afterwards united to the parish of St. John. It stood about the lower end of Fishamble- street, in a lane running towards the Wood-quay, where a part of the Blind- quay now runs. Stanihurst, in his description of Ireland, says this church was parochial, calls it St. Tulloek's, and the lane in which it stood, St. Tullock's-lane. Harris, in his History of Dublin, page 86, says the church of St. Olave was corruptly called St. Tulloek's, or St. Doulagh's church. Other authorities, however, state, that another church, dedi- cated to St. Doulagli, stood in the same neighbour* hood, from which St. Tullock's-lane was called. The 128 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. church of St. Olave was dedicated to a King of Norway of that name, who was instructed in the gospel truths in England, and went to Roan, where he was baptized. From Roan he brought some of the clergy to Norway, to convert his subjects, who were so greatly offended thereat, that they applied to ( anute, King of Denmark, to assist them in resisting the attempts of their king for their conversion. The Danish monarch complied with their request, and ruffians were employed to murder the King of Nor- way, which they accomplished on the 29th of July, on which day the anniversary of his martyrdom is ce- lebrated. The festival of St. Doulagh is observed on the first of August. Besides the Abbeys and Priories which we have noticed, there were three Hospitals erected in ancient times in the city of Dublin, to the honour of God, and for the relief of the poor, the entertainment of strangers, &c. I. The Hospital of St. Stephen^ — This hos- pital, and the church belonging to it, stood on the ground where Mercer s Hospital now stands. It was erected for the use of persons afflicted with leprosy, and was beyond the jurisdiction of the Archbishop, be- cause the leper-houses could not be visited. Besides the church for the use of the lepers, there was another within the same precincts, which was rectorial On January 30th, 1344, a license was granted to Geoffry de St. Michael, guardian of this hospital, to go abroad to foreign countries for two years. XI. Steyne Hospital. — In the year 1220, Henry de Loundres, Archbishop of Dublin, founded an hos- pital, in honour of God and St. James, in a place ealled the Steyne, near the city of Dublin. The Steyne was the ancient name of Lazors Hill, now called Townsend-street; and the Roman Catholic pa- rish chapel of St. Andrew is supposed to stand .on the. site of the ancient hospital* PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 129 III. Allen's Hospital. — About the year 1500, Walter Fitzsimmons, Archbishop of Dublin, granted a vacant space of ground in Kevin-street, to build thereon a stone house for ten poor men ; and on the 8th June, 1504, John Allen, then Dean of St. Pa- trick’s, founded the hospital, and endowed it with a messuage in the town of Duleek, in the county of Meath, and assigned lands for the support and main- tenance of sick poor, to be chosen principally from the families of Allen, Barret, Begge, Hill, Dillon, and Rodier, in the dioceses of Meath and Dublin, they to be faithful Catholics of good fame and honest conversation. The founder died January 2d, 1505. During the residence of James II. in Ireland, he founded the following houses I. A Nunnery for Benedictines, in Ship-street. In the year 1688, he wrote to Dame Mary Butler, (then lately elected Lady-Abbess of the Irish Benedictine Nunnery of Ipres,) to come to Ireland and begin a monastery of her order. The Abbess complied with his request, and arrived in Dublin on the 31st of Oc- tober in the same year, accompanied by some other religious, whom she had borrowed from the English Benedictine Nunnery of Pontoise. After the battle of the Boyne, some of the soldiers of King William's army entered Dublin, and seized upon the church- plate of this Convent. On this, the Abbess applied to her relation, the Duke of Ormond, for a pass-port, which having obtained, she returned to Ipres, and there resided until her death, on the 23d December, 1723, in the 82d year of her age. The patent for this house, which has the king’s great seal affixed to it, and was signed June 5th, in the sixth year of his reign, is pre- served in the Irish Abbey of Benedictine Nuns at Ipres. II. The same Prince also erected a Convent in Channel-row, under the invocation of St. Brigid. 130 PICTURE OF DUBLIN* This, as well as the house in Ship-street, was for Be- nedictine nuns, and Dame O’ Ryan, and two novices from the English nunnery at Dunkirk entered into it/ but were obliged to quit it about the same time that the Sisterhood of Ship-street house left this country. Mrs. O' Ryan and her companions returned to their eonvent at Dunkirk, where she lived for many years after. The Channel-row convent has been since oc- cupied by nuns of the Order of St. Dominick, who remained in possession of it until their removal to Clontarf a few years since. The house is now con- verted into a Charitable Dispensary. III. A chapel for the Jesuits* in Lucy’s-lane, now called Mass-lane, near the Inn's quay. This house has gone through various hands since the Jesuits were dispossessed. It was, for a while, occupied by the Hugonots, and is now used by a congregation of Dis- senters. ECCLESIASTICAL COURTS. The Convocation.— This court, in which the ec- clesiastical government of Ireland is properly lodged, has not been assembled since the 10th of Anne, (1711.) It consists of all the prelates, deans, archdeacons, and other dignitaries, who meet in two houses, like the parliament, and possess most extensive powers in mat- ters of religion. All its acts must receive the consent of the king. At the synod held in Cashel, in 1172, the clergy are said to have conferred on Henry II. ancl his heirs, the kingdom of Ireland for ever. The Con- vocation called by James I. in 1614, at Dublin, estab- lished the Thirty -nine Articles. The Convocation of 1634, in the tenth year of Charles I. drew up the One Hundred Canons and Constitutions Ecclesiastical, -to which that of 171 1, added five more, PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 131 High Court of Delegates. — This court is, in point of dignity and authority, next to the Convoca- tion. It consists of the bishops, judges, and masters in chancery. They usually sit in the King s Bench Chamber in the Four Courts. An appeal lies to them from the highest metropolitan court, and their decision is final. The Prerogative Court takes cognizance of wills, administrations and legacies, where the de- ceased has left effects in two different dioceses. An appeal lies from this court to the King in chancery. The office is in Henrietta-street. The Consistorial Court is the spiritual court ap- pertaining to the Archbishop, who formerly presided at it, in the nave of the church, assisted by his clergy. The judge of this court is styled a Vicar- General ; and in it are decided all causes not cognizable by the common law, such as blasphemy, apostacy, heresy, schism, ordinations, institution of clerks to benefices, celebra- tion of divine service, rights of matrimony, divorces, general bastardy, tithes, oblations, obventions, mor- tuaries, dilapidations, reparation of churches, probates of wills, administrations, simony, incest, fornication, adulteries, procurations, with others of a similar na- ture. The Consistorial Office is held on the west side of Stephen’s Green. RELIGIOUS SECTS and COMMUNITIES. The Presbyterians were a very numerous body in Dublin about a century ago, comprising within their communion some noble families. The cessation of religious persecution under the mild government of the house of Brunewick, intermarriages, and other causes, ha ve greatly tended to thin their numbers; they are still, however, highly respectable in this particular, 132 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. as well as for their industry, opulence, and public spirit. It appears that a society of Presbyterians had been formed in Dublin early in the seventeenth cen- tury, the system having been very extensively estab- lished in the province of Ulster, during the reign of James I. The calamities which occurred under the government of his successor, dispersed many of their congregations, which were, however, again re-estab- lished, after the arms of the English Parliament had restored tranquillity. The Irish Presbyterians were suffered to remain unmolested during the Protectorate of Cromwell, though they published a solemn protest against the execution of Charles I. to which the cele- brated Milton was employed to write along and angry reply. The passing of the Act of Uniformity, in the reign of Charles IT. added considerably to the numbers of the Presbyterians ; the Provost and some of the Fel- lows of Trinity College, with several beneficed cler- gymen of the established church, resigning their liv- ings, and other ecclesiastical emoluments, rather than conform to the stipulations of the Act. These pastors, with many of their parishioners, including some fa- milies of high rank and opulence, united with the Pres- byterians, who had now become so respectable a society as to form several numerous congregations in this city ; and their ministers continued for a considerable time a distinct ecclesiastical body, denominated “ The Dub- lin Association,” united with the Synods of Ulster and Munster, but maintaining a separate jurisdiction. The distinction, however, has for many years been done away, and the Dublin Association is now completely amalgamated with the Synods above mentioned. Nine Presbyterian congregations (not including Seceders,) have existed in the Irish Metropolis, viz : — Wood-street, (now Strand-street.) Cook-street, New- row, (now Eustace-street,) Plunket-street, Capel- street, Ushers-quay, Mary’s Abbey, Francis-street, PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 133 and Bull Alley. Of these four still remain, viz Strand-street, Eustace-street, Mary's Abbey, and Usher's Quay. ] . Strand-street . — This is the oldest of the Pres- byterian congregations in Dublin, having been in exist- ence in 1647. Many families of high rank, were in former days, enrolled amongst its members ; and in later times it has produced some characters who have been much distinguished, not only in the literary pro- fessions, and the useful arts of life, but some, who have done honour to the highest offices in the state. In the succession of ministers belonging to this congregation, we find the names of many, whose useful labours still survive them, and have rendered their names justly ce- lebrated. The most distinguished were, Doctor John Owen, (afterwards Vice Chancellor of Oxford,) who has left seven folio, twenty quarto, and thirty octavo volumes, on various theological subjects, as a stupen- dous monument of his abilities and industry. — Doctor Stephen Charnock, (Chaplain to Oliver Cromwell,) whose works are well known. — Doctor Daniel Wil- liams, who was the intimate friend of the venerable Richard Baxter, and was greatly esteemed by King William. He founded the Dissenters’ Library in Red- cross-street, London, and his works were published in five volumes octavo. — Doctor Gilbert Rule, afterwards Principal of the University of Edinburgh, and one of the Commissioners from Scotland to King William. — -Rev. John Howe, who had been the favourite Chap- lain of Oliver Cromwell. He officiated in Wood-street while he continued in Ireland, but afterwards, be- coming one of the ministers of the English church at Utrecht, he was instrumental in promoting the revolu- tion of 1688. His theological works have been col- lected in two volumes folio and five volumes octavo. — The Rev. Joseph Boyse (father of the unfortunate Samuel Boyse, the poet,) was pastor of this congre- gation for the long period of forty -five years. He was 134 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. much distinguished by his controversy with Archbishop King, and other polemical writings. — Rev. Thomas Emlyn was the first of the Presbyterian divines in Ireland, who openly renounced the doctrines of Cal- vin, and the first distinguished preacher belonging to that body, of what are termed rational or moderate principles. He was heavily fined and imprisoned for impugning certain doctrines of the Established Church. x\fter his liberation, he removed to London, where he became the friend and associate of Doctor Foster, Doc- tor Samuel Clarke, and Mr. Whiston. — Rev. John Ahernethy was remarkable for the active share he took, early in the last century, in the formation of the Presbytery of Antrim, whose original bond of union was the principle of non-subscription to Con- fessions of Faith of human composition. Mr. Aberne- thy published several volumes of sermons and contro- versial tracts : his Discourses on the Divine Attributes, in four volumes, have gone through many editions. — Doctor James Ducliall was the pupil of Mr. Aberne- thy, and became also a distinguished theological wri- ter; having, it is said, composed above seven hundred, sermons, chiefly on practical subjects. — Doctor Archi- bald Maclaine assisted as pastor of Wood-street for about three months ; but, receiving an invitation from the Continent, he became minister of the English church at the Hague, a situation which he filled with the highest distinction for the long space of fifty years, till driven from if by the political revolutions of that country. He was the translator of Mosheim’s Eccle- siastical History, and author of several publications, and was highly honoured by the personal notice of his late Majesty King George the Third, the Stadtholder of Holland, and other distinguished personages. — Doc- tor Moody, who died in 1814, was pastor of this con- gregation for near half a century, and was particularly remarkable for his benevolent temper, and his active exertions in the cause of Catholic emancipation. A PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 135 selection from his discourses has been published, in two volumes, since his death. — Rev. Thomas Plunkett possessed talents of a very superior order, which ob- tained for him the friendship and intimacy of some of the most distinguished statesmen and parliamentary leaders in Ireland. His great endowments havo been inherited by his sons ; the eldest of whom, the late Dr. Patrick Plunkett, was acknowledged to be one of the first physicians in this country; while the youngest son, the Right Hon. Wm. Conyngliam Plunkett, has obtained a degree of celebrity at the bar and in the se- nate, which constitute him the pride and boast of Ire- land. — The Rev. Samuel Bruce, and Doctor William Bruce, (father and son) who both filled the office of pastor in Strand-street, were remarkable, as belonging to a family that has produced seven ministers in regular succession, from the reformation to the present day k Doctor Bruce is now the Minister of the first Presby- terian Congregation of Belfast, and Principal of the Academy, and has acquired considerable reputation as an author. The present ministers of Strand-street are the Rev. James Armstrong, A. M. and the Rev. W. Hamilton Drummond, D. D. the latter of whom has obtained ce- lebrity in the different walks of poetry, criticism, and theology. Attached to the church in Strand-street are a congre- gational library, consisting chiefly of theological works, but it is now fallen into a state of partial de- cay ; a fund, commenced in 1812 by the daughters of the late Rev. Thomas Plunkett, from which the wi- dows of the ministers belonging to the congregation re- ceive near one hundred pounds per annum ; a charity school in which twenty-eight boys are clothed, lodged, and dieted, and, when qualified, apprenticed to useful trades ; and a fund for the relief of poor widows of every denomination. In aid of the school, a charity 136 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. sermon is preached annually, on the last Sunday in February. Eustace-street , ( formerly New-row.) — The Presby- terian church of Eustace-street was formed by the Rev, Samuel Winter, D. D. Provost of Trinity College, ai d the Rev. Samuel Mather, Fellow of the University, who resigned their situations in the college, and bene- fices in the church, from conscientious motives, in the year 1662. In the succession of ministers in this church are found the names of some very distinguished divines ; particularly of Doctor John Leland, the able champion of Christianity, and the unanswerable oppo- nent of deistical philosophers. The present ministers are the Rev. Philip Taylor, and the Rev. Joseph Hutton. To this church there are two charity schools at* tached ; a male school of twenty children, and a female school of eighteen, supported chiefly by permanent funds, and partly by a collection made at the annual charity sermon, preached on the last Sunday in No- vember, Marys Abbey , or the Scots Church , ( formerly Ca* J pel-street .) was in existence, as a distinct church, in the year I6S9, under the pastoral care of the Rev. William Jacque, who is supposed to have been the first minister of this flock. On the union of the old congregation of Mary’s Abbey with that of Strand- street, in the year 1764, the congregation of Capel- street assumed the name of “ Mary’s Abbey,” from their vicinity to the old congregation of that name. Of late years they have assumed the title of “ The Scots Church not as implying any connexion with the church of Scotland, b.ut as maintaining, in common with all the Presbyterians of Ireland, the ecclesiastical discipline and form of worship adopted by the religious establishment of Scotland. The church of Mary’s Abbey reckons, in its succession of ministers, several PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 137 names of men who were highly distinguished in their day, for eminent piety and great abilities ; particularly the Rev. Robert Craighead, the Rev. John Milling, of the Hague, and the Rev. John Wight, who filled a Professors chair in the University of Glasgow. The present ministers are the Rev. Doctor McDow- ell, the Rev, James Horner, and the Rev. James Car- lile, assistant to Mr. M'DoWall. To this church there are attached two schools ; a male school of twenty children, and a female school of ten. These schools are entirely supported by the collection made at the an- nual charity sermon preached on the first Sunday in March. Usher $ Quay . — It is supposed that this congrega- tion was first formed in the year 1695, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. Hugh M‘ Master. In the year 1773 it was encreased by the union of the old Presby- terian church of Plunk et-street. The present ministers are the Rev. Hugh Moore, and the Rev. Samuel Simp- son. To this church are attached two charity schools, one for males, containing twenty boys, the other for females, containing an equal number. These schools are supported chiefly by permanent funds, and partly by the collection at the annual charity sermon, preach- ed the second Sunday in January. In the year 1710, “ The General Presbyterian Fund” was formed in Dublin, for the purpose of sup- porting and extending the Presbyterian interest in the south of Ireland. To this fund the members of Wood- street (now Strand-street) congregation contributed £6850, and, some members of the other congregations, £820. Though the property of the fund has been greatly injured, it still continues to promote the origi- nal design.* Shortly after an Academy for Dissenters • A brief history of this fund has been drawn up by the Rev. James Armstrong, one of the ministers of Strand-street. 138 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. was founded in Dublin, over which Mr. Hutcheson^ the celebrated author of “ A System of Moral Philoso- phy/' presided for eight years. The Academy w T as afterwards dropped, but it has since been more perma- nently revived in Belfast. There is also in existence an annuity fund, from which the widows of ministers of the Synod of Ulster receive 401. and the widows of those of the Synod of Munster, £50. per annum. Secession Church. — There is at present but one congregation connected with this religious community, in the city of Dublin, of which the Rev. David Stuart is the pastor, and which assembles for Divine Worship in the new Meeting House, St Mary's Abbey. Up- wards of two hundred and fifty persons attend on the administration of Divine ordinances, of whom about one hundred and forty are in full communion. The people denominated “ Seceders" form a very numerous and respectable body of Christians in Ire- land, Scotland, England, and America. They de- rive their name from having seceded, or withdrawn horn the established church of Scotland.* This seces- sion took place in 1734. It originated not in any dis- satisfaction with the religious principles professed in the church of Scotland, for her formularies Seceders still hold as a precious summary of divine truth, but for alleged defection from these. Seceders state, as the grounds of separation fropa the judicatories of the church of Scotland, the tbleration of doctrinal error, the imposition of ministers upon congregations by the law of patron age ? in opposition to the wishes of the people, and the depriving them of a most precious right, that of choosing their own pastors ; the general relaxation, and, in many instances, -the total neglect of * It is necessary to remark, that the S°eeders here spoken of ought not to be confounded with those who have, iD England, lately been thus denominated, and whose antinomian peculiarities they abhor. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 139 discipline; the restraint of ministerial freedom in testi- fying against mal -administration in church courts ; and, as, in their opinion, the prolific source of all, the incorporation of the church with the state. Several years after the commencement of the seces- sion, a difference of sentiment arose regarding a religi- ous clause in the burgess oath of certain boroughs, which some interpreted as implying a virtual recognition of the establishment from which they had seceded, and which, therefore, they could not consistently swear ; but which others believed they could conscientiously take. This difference led to a division, which, after continuing more than seventy years, has been healed, and the Secession Church is one. The number of members belonging to it in this country, is not much less than 200,000 persons. The whole number of congregations, throughout the world, is near 1000. In doctrine, Seceders are decidedly Calvinists. The Westminster Confession of Faith and Catechisms, whieh, in point of doctrine , they consider, the same as the Articles of the Church of England, are subscribed by every minister and elder on entering upon office. No person is admitted to communion who is not agreed in what is esteemed fundamental truth, and who doe9 not give satisfac- tory evidence of a change of heart, by a life accordant with the gospel. Their form of ecclesiastical rule is the Presbyterian. Baptists. — This religious community was established in Dublin about the year 1650; the first Baptists hav- ing come over to Ireland soon after Cromwell’s con- quests. They held their meetings in Swift’s alley, and on the site of the old meeting house the present one was built in 1738. They held the doctrine of adult baptism by immersion. Quakers. — William Edmundson, who had been a 140 PICTURE OF DUOLrN. soldier in Cromwell’s army, originally introduced this sect; and after suffering much persecution, succeeded in establishing the first settled meeting at Lurgan, in the North of Ireland. In 1055, two females, named Elizabeth Fletcher and Elizabeth Smith, landed in Dublin, and went to St. Audeon’s church, where they delivered their testimony, and immediately after pro- ceeded to publish it at the Baptist meeting-house, which had been recently erected. They were committed to Newgate by the lord mayor for their conduct at Au- deon’s church, but being released soon after, they held a meeting at the house of Richard Fowkes, a tailor, near Polegate. George Fox arrived in Ireland in 1668, and the first provincial meeting took place in Dublin in 1670. Their numbers increased rapidly, and in 1686 a large meeting house was erected in Meath-street. It was found necessary in 1602 to build another house, in Sycamore-alley ; and in this house they meet at the present day. For a considerable period, the reli- gious sentiments and singularities of the Quakers, ex- posed them to severe persecutions, and annoyances of the most vexatious kind ; but various acts of the legis- lature greatly abated these grievances, while their in- offensive and useful lives softened down the prejudices of their bitterest enemies. It will reflect everlasting credit on the Quakers of Ireland, that from them is- sued the first censure, passed by any public body, on that abominable traffic the slave-trade. This took place at the national meeting held in Dublin, in 1727, thirty- one years before a similar resolution was passed by the yearly meeting of Friends in London. The Society appears to have forty-two congregations in Ire- land ; of its members about 600 reside in Dublin, where their habits of industry and frugality constitute them a most respectable portion of the commercial class of society ; and among them are to be found some of the most active supporters of the numerous charities with which this great metropolis abounds. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 141 Methodists. — Methodism was first introduced into Dublin in 1766, by a Mr. Williams, who was sent over by the English Conference. He speedily formed a small society, and the Rev. John Wesley, hearing of his success, arrived in Dublin on the 9th of August in the ensuing year. He landed on a Sunday morn- ing at ten o'clock, when the bells of the different churches were ringing for prayers, and immediately proceeded to church. At three o'clock, on the same day, he preached his first sermon in the Irish metropo- lis, at St. Mary's church; and on the following day had an interview with Archbishop Cobbe. He conti- nued in Dublin for some time, preaching to crowded congregations, at a house in Marlborough-street, which had formerly been a Lutheran church. The society soon contained near three hundred members ; but, a£- ter the departure of Mr. Wesley, a storm of persecu- tion broke out against them ; their meeting-house was attacked by a mob, the pulpit and benches torn down and burned in the street, and their preacher was rudely treated. But these outrages speedily ceased, and the society continued to increase to the present, when the number of actual members in Dublin falls little short of 1800. A division has, however, lately taken place in this religious community, of which it may be necessary to take some notice. Previous to the year J816, the Irish Methodists, both preachers and people, in compliance with the injunctions of their founder, op- posed every attempt to withdraw them from the com- munion of the respective churches to which they were attached, by birth or principle. In the year above mentioned, however, the Conference gave permission to their preachers to administer the Sacraments of Bap- tism and the Lord's Supper on some of the circuits, which may be farther extended under certain regula- tions. Those members who were opposed to this innovation, after remonstrating against it for a consi- derable time, at length determined to have no farther 342 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. connexion with the Conference ; and several local preachers offering to travel on original principles, a se- cond Conference was held in the town of Clones, in the year 1817. In the following year it was trans- ferred to Dublin, where it continues to meet annually under the title of “the Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Conference.” At the first meeting the numbers in this society throughout Ireland was little more than 6000 ; but in the last three years they have increased to up- wards of 12,000, of which nearly 500 are in Dublin. The preaching houses, in general, having been settled on their former preachers, they have been obliged to find other places of accommodation throughout Ireland; and, such has been the zeal and ardor manifested in the cause, that about sixty houses of worship have been already built or fitted up. At present the Primi- tive Wesleyan Methodists of Dublin have the following places of W orship : — 1. Wesley Chapel, near Mountjoy-squ are, which was built in 1800, and can accommodate 1200 persons. It is fronted with mountain granite, and ornamented with an Ionic pediment, and the interior is finished in a style of great elegance. 2. South Great George’s-street. This house was opened on the 24th of December, 1820. It is 80 feet long by about 36 in breadth, and has a gallery on every side. The greatest attention has been paid to neatness and convenience in the erection of this build- ing, which is supposed to be capable of containing near 1500 persons. 3. The Weavers’ Hall, on the Coombe. The body of Methodists in Ireland who still adhere to the old preachers, exceed 23,000. Of these near 1200 are in Dublin. They have the following places of worship in the city, viz. : — 1. Whitefriars-street. A plain commodious build- ing, erected in 1756, supposed to contain about 1200 persons. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 143 2. Hendrick-street, formerly Gravel Walk, built in 1771. 3. Cork-street, in the Liberties, built in 1815. 4. A very extensive and elegant place of worship in Lower Abbey-street, the interior of which is not yet finished. They have, besides, some places of worship in the vicinity of the metropolis. We conceive that the principles of the Methodists are too well known to require particular notice in this place. In doctrine they agree with the Established church. Moravians. — The society of Christians generally denominated “ Moravians/' but who call themselves “ United Brethren/' or more frequently the “ Church of the Brethren," originally descended from the Scla- vonian branch of the Greek Church ; and though they, since the year 967, were more or less subject to the national church, they still retained the Bible in their own hands, and performed Divine Service according to the ritual of their fathers, and in their mother tongue. Towards the close of the twelfth century they formed a union with the Waldenses ; many of whom, about that period, settled in Bohemia and Moravia, which countries gave birth to the Brethren’s church. After the death of the celebrated John Huss in 1415, a division arose among his followers. The major part flew to arms in defence of their religious liberties. Others, though far inferior in numbers, considering this as contrary to Scripture, resolved rather to suffer any thing, even death itself, than defend religion by the sword. Those who held this opinion, among whom were several of the clergy, formed a close union among themselves, and assumed the name of TJnitav Fratrum , (i. e. the Unity of the Brethren). This took place in 1457 ; this year, therefore, must bo 144 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. viewed as the commencement of the Brethren’s church. Ten years after they received episcopacy from the Wal- denses, and this has been kept up in uninterrupted suc- cession, to the present time. After experiencing a variety of vicissitudes, the Bre- thren’s church had, at the close of the seventeenth cen- tury, become nearly extinct. But by the good provi- dence of God, it was again revived in the year 1722, by the arrival of several families from Bohemia and Moravia, in Upper Lusatia, where they formed a co- lony called Herrnhut, on an estate belonging to Count Zinzendorf, who patronized them and their undertak- ing. In process of time they established themselves in se- veral other places on the continent of Europe, and in America, every where obtaining the sanction of the re- spective governments, to adopt their own ecclesiastical constitution, in doctrine and discipline. They made their first appearance in England before the middle of the last century ; and a Bill was passed in their favour by both Houses of Parliament, acknow- ledging them to be an “ Ancient Protestant Episcopal Church." In 1740, one of their ministers, the Rev. John Cen- nick, came to Dublin. His ministry was attended by great numbers ; and, being soon after joined in his la- bours by the Rev. Benjamin Latrobe, at that time a student in Trinity College, and afterwards consecrated a bishop of the Brethren’s church, several congrega- tions, in connexion with that church, were formed in the north of Ireland, and likewise one in Dublin, which at present consists of 200 members. The doctrinal tenets of the Brethren’s church differ in no essential point from those of the national church of this country, and the government is episcopal. Their congregations, in Great Britain and Ireland, are neither many nor numerous ; and though their es- tablishments on the Continent are considerable, yet PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 145 they have always directed their principal attention to the evangelizing heathen nations, and in this under- taking they have been more successful than any of their fellow labourers in the field. They commenced this work in 1732, and at present they have missions in Greenland, Labrador, North and South America, the West Indies, South Africa and Tartary. The number of former Heathen , now constituting Christian congregations, is upwards of 32,000, and about 160 missionaries are employed in their instruction. The annual expense of these mis- sions is about nine thousand pounds, for which they have no other fund than the voluntary contribu- tions of the members of their own church, and con- tingent donations from other friends. The Moravian meeting house is in Bishop-street, and near it is the house called the Moravian House, inhabited by a number af unmarried persons, members of the church. The Irish Moravian bishop resides at Grace Hill, in the vicinity of Antrim. Independents. — A very respectable class of profess- ing Christians have been thus denominated, from their refusing to bear the name of any distinguished leader, and holding, that every congregation has in itself what is necessary for its own government. In doctrine they are strict Calvinists. There are now in Ireland, of this sect, above 6000 individuals. The first regular con- gregation of Independents in Dublin seems to have been formed in Plunket-street, in 1774, where they still meet.- Another house was erected in 1808, in York-street. Some members seceded from this house a few years back, who have erected a very neat chapel, (called Ebenezer) in D'Olier-street. Another place of worship is building in King's Inns-street, which is de- nominated Zion Chapel. Walker's Society. The Rev. John Walker; I 146 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. about the year ] 804, established this society on princi- ples nearly resembling those held by Robert Sande- man. Mr. Walker had been a Fellow of Trinity College, minister of Bethesda Chapel, and a member of several religious and useful institutions; but, in the year above-mentioned, he resigned his fellowship, laid aside the clerical garb, and, with some other friends who were like-minded, formed this society. They strictly adhere to the Calvinistic doctrines, but rigidly prohibit the performance of any religious act whatever, without removing to a distance (if in the same room,) from every person, who, however unexceptionable in essential faith, refuses to obey a precept that could be fairly and generally applied. This, they assert, does not arise from their esteeming themselves better than others ; but they hold, that true worship and Christian communion is impossible, because unscriptural, where people do not receive the same truths in common. They acknowledge no stated minister, but every mem- ber exercises his gifts indiscriminately; and certain of them are appointed to assist in the celebration of the Eucharist. The sacrament of baptism they cotf&ider superfluous, except to those who never before professed Christianity. They also agree with the Quakers in denying the lawfulness of oaths. For some time pub- lic disputations were held at their place of worship in S'tafford-street ; but it was found necessary to disconti- nue them. Several divisions have already taken place in this society. Kelly’s Society. — This sect was founded by the Rev. Thomas Kelly, son of the late Judge Kelly. Having left the established church, he built a chapel at Athy, and another at Black-rock, near Dublin. Their form of worship and discipline nearly resemble those of Mr.Walker ; but they do not object to join in prayer, or the other sacred offices of religion, with those who make a true profession of Christianity. . . . ' y ■ . , ■■ , . \. . The j^ew jslakjbouik. ©y howte. Metjrofojliltatt Roman cathohc chme e . Sl!R FAT KICK JOUSTS HftKTTTAi.. .-■V PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 147 They are left at perfect liberty with respect to bap* tism. Their place of worship in Dublin is in Mass- lane, near King’s-Inns-quay. French Protestant Refugees. — After the revo- cation of the edict of Nantes, by Louis XIV. a great number of the French Hugonots fled to this country, where they found an hospitable asylum ; and they have since repaid the debt, by the benefits they have conferred on the country of their adoption. In the pul- pit and at the bar, some of them have shone conspicu- ously, while others have been eminently successful in the commercial and manufacturing world. Many of them are to be found amongst the most active promo- ters of our religious and charitable institutions ; and the names of Latouche, Gast, and Saurin, must ever be ranked amongst those who, by their industry, ta- lents, and integrity, have conferred honor upon Ire- land. The French Refugees settled chiefly in Dublin, Waterford, Portarlington, and Lisburn. They re-> ceived great accessions of numbers from the army of" William III. and were at that time so numerous iu the metropolis as to form three cong&gations. They have, however, since tKat period, so completely merged into the population, as to have lost their distinctive character. German Lutherans. — This congregation was founded in 1697, by the Rev. Mr. Lightenstone, who, during the civil wars, had been chaplain to the Duke of Brandenburgh’s regiment. They built the present church in Poolbeg-street, for the use of all foreigners professing the Lutheran doctrines ; and while the mi- nister addressed the Germans in the morning, he preached to Swedes, Danes, and Norwegians in the afternoon. The resident congregation, at present, con- sists of only twelve individuals, to which are added occasionally such sea-faring people as are acquainted with the German language. Roman Catholics. — While the Penal Laws were 148 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. exercised with rigour, this large portion of the popula- tion of the capital, was placed in the most distressing circumstances. The rich were favored with the rites of their religion by some itinerant clergyman or do- mestic chaplain, but the poor generally assembled in a private manner, in some waste house or stable, for the same purpose. A more tolerant spirit, however, began to appear about the middle of the last century, under the Vice-royalty of Lord Chesterfield. Many of their old chapels were suffered to be re-opened in 1745, and others built, and this principle of liberality and tole- ration has happily continued to advance to the present day. Under the paternal reign of our late revered Mo- narch, nearly all the penal restrictions which afflicted the Irish Roman Catholics, have been expunged from the Statute-book. There are, at present in Dublin, nine parish chapels, viz. Arran-quay, North Anne-street, Michael and John’s, Lower Exchange-street, Bridge-street, Francis- street, Liffey-street, Meath-street, and J ames’s-st. ; the Jesuit’s chapel, Hardwick-st. ; six Friaries, viz. Church- street, (Capuchins,) Denmark -st. (Dominicans,) French- street, (calced Carmelites, ) Clarendon st, (discalced Car- melites,) Adam and Eve Chapel, Cook-st. (Franciscans,) John s-street, (Augustinians ;) nine Nunneries, viz. Harold’s-cross, J ames’s-street, Warren-mount, George’s- hill, Summer-hill, Ranelagh, King-street, N. William* street, and Stanhope-street. Seventy regular clergymen officiate in the parochial Chapels, and forty regulars belong to the Friaries. Besides these, there are in the outlets three chapels, attached to the city parishes, viz. Harold’s Cross, and Mil town, belonging to the parish of St. Nicholas, and Dolphin’s Barn, belonging to that of St. James. In each of the parish chapels and friaries there is a regular succession of masses, generally from six o’clock in the morning till one o’clock in the day of Sundays and ho- lidays ; and from seven until eleven o’clock, and, in PICTURE OF DUBLIN U9 some chapels, until twelve o’clock, on every other day. On the Sundays and holidays all these masses are at- tended by crowded congregations. In the parish cha- pels and friaries, sermons are preached on the evenings of every Sunday and holiday, during the winter sea- son, and. immediately after last mass in the summer and autumn months ; and generally in the evenings of every day during the penitential times of lent and ad- vent. On these occasions the chapels are crowded to excess. There are also in Dublin some Monasteries of Lay Religious. The various parishes in Dublin are attached to the Chapels according to the following dis- tribution : — PARISH CHAPELS. St, James’s. — The chapel of this parish is situate at the rere of the houses on the east side of Watling-street, and north side of James’s Gate. It is an old building, but has lately undergone a thorough repair ; and a large and commodious house has been erected for the use of the clergymen of the parish. The ambit of this parish is very extensive ; it stretches from James’s Gate on the east, to near Chapelizod on the west, and from the Liffey, on the north, to the bounds of the parish of Crumlin on the south. The clerical du- ties of the parish are executed by the parish priest and four officiating clergymen. St. Catherine’s. — -The old chapel of this parish stood in Bridgefoot-street at the corner of Mass-lane, but having become much decayed, a new chapel was erected at the rere of the houses on the east side of Meath-street, opposite Hanhury-lane. It is a handsome octagonal building, with a gallery extending along five of its sides. It was opened for divine service about the year 1782 , and at the same time was erected a good brick house for the use of the clergy. This parish in- cludes a large portion o,f the Earl of Meath’s Liberty, 350 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. a part of Thomas-street, and a few houses on the west side of the north end of Francis-street. The parochial duties are performed by the parish priest, and five as- sisting clergymen. Parish of St. Nicholas of Myra, or St. Ni- cholas without the walls * — The circuit of this pa- rish is the most extensive of any belonging to the me- tropolis. In addition to the parish ot St Nicholas Without, it comprehends St. Luke's, St. Bride's, St. Kevin’s, a part of St. Peter’s, and extends to the stream of water on Donnybrook road, on the south-east, and in a south and south-west direction takes in the villages of Mount Pleasant, Ranelagh, Miltown, Ratkmines, Roundtown, Harold’s Cross, &c. &c. some of which are upwards of two miles from the city, and near the same distance from each other. The parochial duties are executed by the parish priest, who is also R. C. Dean of Dublin, and eight assistant curates. This cha- pel is situate on the ground on which the old Franciscan abbey formerly stood, on the east side of Francis-street, and west of Plunket-street, with a passage leading from each of those streets. It is an old but very firm build- ing ; and, though one of the largest chapels in Dublin, is too small for the congregation that constantly resorts to it. There is a large and convenient house lately erected, adjoining the chapel, for the residence of the curates. St. Audeon's. — The chapel of this parish is si- tuated in a yard at the east side of Bridge-street, and north of Cook-street, to which is attached a house for the use of the officiating clergymen. These concerns were formerly possessed by the Dominican friars, but on their removal to their new convent in Denmark-st. they were converted to the use of the parochial clergymen, whose former chapel and dwelling house stood in a yard on 1 he south side of Cook-street, and were become ruinous. This is but a small parish, extending only from Skip- per’s and School-house-lanes on the east, to a part of PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 151 Watling street on the west, and from the Liffey-wall on the north, to the west side of Back-lane, at the widest end; and from the same wall to the house No. 29, Watling-street, at the narrowest end of the parish. The duties of the parish are performed by the parish priest, and five assistant curates, United Parishes of St. Michael and St. John. — The old chapel of this parish stood for many years in Rosemary -lane, but it becoming ruinous, an elegant new chapel has been lately constructed, on the site of the old theatre, on the east side of Smock-alley, and west of lower Exchange-street, to each ol which streets it presents a front of hewn mountain stone, in the Gothic stile of Architecture, but with very little orna- ment. The interior of the chapel is handsomely laid out and decorated, and the ornaments are all in the same style as the exterior of the building The expense of this edifice was defrayed by public contribution, in which the lower ranks of the population cheerfully bore a part, by a voluntary subscription of one penny per week. This was formerly the smallest Roman Catholic paro- chial district in Dublin, but it has been lately extended to the east and south, by the present Archbishop. Be- sides the parishes of St. Michael and St. John, it in- cludes the parishes of St. Nicholas Within, St. Wer- burgh, and a part of St. Bride’s, and St. Peter’s, It extends from the bounds of the parish of St. Audeon on the west, to Eustace-street, George’s street, and a part of Aungier-street on the east, and from the LifFey wall north to Blackball Market on the south. The pa- rochial duties are performed by the parish priest, who is also vicar general of the diocese, assisted by six offi- ciating clergymen. St. Andrew’s Parish. — The chapel of this pa- rish is situated in a yard on the north side of Townsend- street, and south of Poolbeg street, from each of which streets it has a passage. It is supposed to stand on the site of the Steyne Hospital, erected about the year 1229 152 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. by Henry de Loundres, Archbishop of Dublin. The house for the clergymen has been lately rebuilt^ This district includes the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Mark, St. Anne, and a part of St. Peter's, and extends from the bounds of St. Michael's and St. John’s district on the west, to the sluice-gate below Sir John Rogerson’s quay on the east ; and from Liffey-street on the north to Leeson-street, and the north of Cuffe-street on the south. The parish living belongs to the Most Rev. Doctor Murray, coadjutor to the Most Rev. Doctor Troy, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin. The parochial duties are performed by seven officiating clergymen. St. Paul’s. — The chapel of this parish is situated in a yard at the rere of the houses on Arran-quay. The present chapel was erected in 1785, and is the third that has been built on the same site. The pa- rish extends, east and west, from Church-street to the Vice-regal lodge in the Phoenix Park ; and north and south, from near Cabragh, beyond Prussia-street, to the Liffey. The parochial duties are performed by the parish priest and five assistant clergymen. St. Mi chan’s.. — The chapel of this parish has been lately erected in North Anne-street, the rere extending to Halstein-street. The front in Anne-street is of mountain-stone, built in the Gothic style, with pointed arched windows, minarets, &c. The interior of the chapel is also laid out in the Gothic style ; and some of the walls are decorated with figures of some of the principal Irish saints, in bags-relief. Before the erec- tion of the present chapel, divine service for the parish was performed in the chapel of Mary’s-iane, the oldest Roman Catholic chapel on the north side of the city. This building is now used as a parish school. The du- ties of the parish are performed by the parish priest, assisted by six officiating clergymen. St. Mary’s. — The present chapel of this parish is a very old budding, situate at the rere of the houses on PICTURE OP DUBLIN, 153 the west side of Upper Lifley-street. For this extensive and populous district, a spacious metropolitan chapel is now erecting in Marlborougli-street, which, when finished, will exceed in magnificence any building of the kind erected in this country since the Roman Ca- tholic religion has ceased to be the religion of the state. The expense is estimated at 50,0001. The principal front consists of a noble portico of six fluted columns of the Doric order. Over the entablature is a pediment, or- namented with the figures of Faith, Hope, and Cha- rity. This front extends 118 feet, and is taken from St. Mary Major’s, at Rome. The flanks ex- tend 160 feet in depth, and in the centre of each are two large recesses, enclosed by a colonnade, which is surrounded by suitable emblematic figures. The interior is on the model of St. Philip de Roule, at Paris, and is divided into a body and side aisles by a splendid colonnade, which runs parallel to each side, and forms at the west end a circular termina- tion, under which the principal altar is placed. There are also two side altars near the grand entrance. The ceiling is circular, and beautifully laid out in com- partments of ornamented pannels and fret- work. This parish extends from the boundaries of St. Michan’s parish on the west, to Ballybough-bridge on the east, and from the bounds of Finglas parish on the north, to the LifFey wall on the south. Attached to this parish are seven officiating priests, besides the Most Reverend Doctor Troy, Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese, and Reverend Daniel Costigan, Oeco- nome of the parish. The expense of building the new chapel is defrayed by public subscriptions, dona tions- legacies, &c. 154 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. FRIARIES. Augustinian Convent. — This convent is in the parish of St. Catherine. The convent and dwelling- house stand on a part of the site of the old priory of St. John, on the west of John-street, and north of Tho- mas-street. The chapel is in good condition, but not equal to what it was some years ago, when there were eight friars in the house. At present there are upon this establishment only the prior and two other regu- lar clergymen. Franciscans. — This convent is in the parish of St. Michael and St. John. The chapel has a front in Cook-street, and is called Adam and Eve chapel. It is an old building, but is in excellent repair, and very decently fitted up for divine service, and for the accom- modation of a crowded congregation, by which it is re- sorted. The friars have a house in Chapel-lane, ad- joining the chapel, in which the superior and seven clergymen reside. Discalced Carmelites. — The old chapel and con- vent belonging to this order formerly stood in a yard on the south side of Stephen-street, but falling into decay, a new house was built for them about thirty years ago, in Clarendon-street, where they now reside. The chapel is roomy, but the galleries are inconvenient, and at sermons the voice of the preacher is not dis- tinctly heard. The religious of this establishment re- side on a floor over the chapel, and consist of the Pro- vincial of the Order and the Prior of the house, and five other clergymen. This convent is in the parish of St. Andrew. Calced Carmelites. — This Order formerly had their convent and chapel in a large old building in Ash- street ; but their lease having expired, and their house be- ing old, a new chapel was built for them at the rere of the east side of French-street, about twenty years ago. The chapel is small, but convenient, and neatly fitted PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 155 up. The clergy of this house, consisting of the Provin- cial of the Order, the Prior of the house, and four religious, reside in a house in French-street, to which the chapel is attached. This convent is also in the dis- trict attached to the parish chapel of St. Andrew. Capuchins. — The Chapel and Convent belonging to this Order stand on the west side of Church-street. The Chapel is old buttirra, and has lately undergone a thorough repair, the expense of which was defrayed by the collections made at a series of sermons, preached in the evenings of the last lent but two, by the Rev. Mr. Keogh, a Religious of this Order, and P. Priest of Baldoyle and Ilowth. The Religious of this establishment, consisting of the Provincial, Guar- dian, and six other clergymen, have a house in the chapel-yard, to which there is a passage from Bow- street. Dominicans. — The chapel and convent of this Or- der is situate in Denmark.street, to which the friars removed between forty and fifty years ago, from the concerns now used as a chapel and dwelling-house for the parish of St. Audeon. The chapel is large, com- modious, and lightsome, and is kept in decent order. The house in which the friars reside is attached to the chapel, and is large and convenient. This community consists of the Prior, Sub- Prior, and five other clergy- men. The convent is in the Roman Catholic parish of St. Mary. Jesuits. — This convent is situate in Hardwick-street, in a part of the old building formerly occupied by the nuns of the order of St. Clare, before their removal to Harold’s Cross. In this house there are only one or two resident clergymen ; but some of the Reverend Gentlemen of Clongowes College occasionally reside here. NUNNERIES. Of these there are five in the city and four in the 156 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. suburbs of Dublin. The great exertions of these establishments in the education of the female poor of the city and environs of Dublin, and in other works of mercy, will be evinced when we come to treat of the charitable institutions of this city. Discalced Carmelites, Warren Mount, Mill- street . — This convent is but a few years established, though in its number of professed Religious it exceeds every other nunnery in Dublin. The community consists of the prioress and eighteen professed nuns. — They are a branch from the- convent of Saint Joseph, Ranelagh. Poor Clares, North King-street. — This is, at pre- sent, the oldest nunnery in Dublin. It is situate at the north-west extremity of North King-street, oppo- site St. Paul's church. They belong to the order of St. Francis, and are under the jurisdiction of the Su- perior of that order. The community consists of the Mother Abbess and eight professed Sisters. Presentation Convent, George s-hill, Mary's- lane . — This convent is of late foundation. The com- munity consists of the Mother Superioress and ten professed Religious Sisters. Sisters op Charity, North William-street . — This convent is of modern date ; indeed the order itself is but lately known in this country, The objects of their institution are most praise -worthy. The ladies of this order as of all the other orders of nuns in this city are of the most respectable Roman Catholic families, and it is a part of their duties to visit the friendless and sick, lying in garrets, cellars, &c. to wash and clean them, to dress their sores, and to supply them with food and medicine. During the late government of France, when all the other religious orders were suppressed, the convents of the Sisters of Charity were upheld and protected, and Bonaparte him- self had so thorough a sense of the great utility of the PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 157 Order, and the charity, virtue, and piety of its mem- bers, that he gave general orders to his troops to pay the same respect to them in passing, by presenting arms, &c. as they would to himself in person. The community of this house consists of the Mother Su- perioress and four professed Religious Sisters. j . * Sisters of Charity, Convent of St. Mary , Stan- hope-sireet . — This is a branch of the last mentioned community. Their convent is but lately founded, and the community consists of only the Mother Su- perioress, one professed nun, and live novices. Discalced Carmelites, Convent of St. Joseph , Ranelagh, — This Convent was established about 30 years since, at which period the nuns removed to it from their former residence on Arran-quay. The community consists of the Prioress, fourteen pro- fessed choir nuns, and some lay sisters. Poor Clares, Convent of St. Clare, Haroltfs- cross. — This convent has been recently built for the nuns that a few years ago resided in a large building in Dorset-street, a part of which is now the Jesuit chapel in Hardwick. street. The house is built in a most healthful situation, is large and convenient, and the chapel and choir are beautifully fitted up in the Gothic style. The community consists of the Mother Abbess, fifteen choir nuns, two lay sisters, and one novice. The nuns of this house are under the jurisdic- tion of the Roman Catholic Archbishop. Presentation Convent, Richmond. — This con- vent has been but lately founded, and is occupied by the nuns who but a few years ago established a con- vent in James’s-street. The community consists of K 158 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. •the Mother Superioress, four professed Religious, and three Novices. Dominican Nuns, Cabragh . — The -sisters of this order had their convent for many years in the build- ing erected in Channel-row by King James II. for nuns of the Benedictine Order, and which is now used as a Charitable Dispensary. From Channel-row these nuns removed, a few years back, to Clontarf, and from that very lately to their present convent at Cabragh. vThe -community consists of the Prioress, four professed nuns, and three novices. To all these religious establishments both conven- tual and parochial schools for the education of the male and female poor are attached. The numerous charities supported by the Roman Catholics will be noticed under the proper, head. Jews.— It is a singular fact, that in the metropolis of Ireland, containing more than 200,000 inhabitants, there is not a sufficient number of Jews to constitute a synagogue. The case was, however, otherwise, some years back, for we are informed, that in 1746, there were, in Dublin, forty families of that persuasion, con- taining about 200 individuals. The Jews first settled in Dublin during the Protectorate of Cromwell ; many of them became opulent merchants, and they established a synagogue in Crane lane, which was afterwards re- moved to Marlborough-street. They have since so much declined, that there are now only nine resident Jews in Dublin, who perform their religious rites in their own houses. They still retain their cemetery near Bailybough Bridge, which is planted with shrubs, and gives evidence of their former respectability. ItyAZETOOTH COJL1LEGE. QTETiBiE^r's Mroa, PICTURE OF DUBLIN'. 159 % MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, The Municipal Government of the capital was conferred on the corporation by several charters; the first of which was granted by Henry II. The corporation consists of the lord mayor, and twenty -four aldermen, who form an upper house; and the lower house is composed of the sheriffs and sheriffs' peers, not exceed- ing forty-eight, with the representatives of twenty-live corporations, not exceeding ninety-six. The Lord Mayor. — The chief magistrate was ori- ginally designated Provost : his title < was changed to that of Mayor in 1409 ; and in 1665, he was honored by Charles II. with the appellation of Lord Mayor, and he is styled Right Honorable during the period he holds the office. He is selected annually from the Board of Aldermen, on the first quarter day in April, and on the 30th of September, is sworn into office. Upon this occasion, the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Aldermen proceed in state from the Mansion-house to the Exhi- bition-house in William-str eety where they are joined by the Common Council, with all the corporation of- ficers, in their -full costume ;— hence they march in procession? to the castle, accompanied by music, and the battle axe guards, where they are entertained with cake and wine, and the Lord Mayor is sworn into of- fice before the Lord Lieutenant, and receives a charge from one of the J udges. From lienee they proceed to the Sessions-house, where they open the courts and swear in the Sheriffs. THe evening is concluded by an entertainment at the Mansion-house, at which the Yiceroy is generally present. Upon all public occa- 160 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. sions the Lord Mayor wears a rich furred gown, with a gold chain, called a collar of S. S. from the form of the links.* The Board of ALDERMENare chosen for life from amongst the Sheriffs’ Peers, by the Lord Mayor, Al- dermen, and Common Council. They are all magis- trates of the city, and with the Lord Mayor and Re- corder are judges of oyer and terminer for capital of- fences or misdemeanors committed in the city. The Sheriffs must swear, before their election, that they are worth two thousand pounds above their just debts. Those who have served the office, or paid a fine for exemption, are denominated Sheriffs* Peers. The Common Council are elected every third year by the respective Guilds or Companies, of which there are twenty-five. Their number amounts to ninety-six. with whom the Sheriffs' Peers (48 in number) sit apart from the Aldermen, and at this assembly the She- riffs for the time-being preside. From amongst the Commons the Sheriffs are annually elected, though any qualified freeman is eligible. Six of the Police Magistrates are chosen from amongst them. The follow- ing table exhibits the number of representatives which each Guild returns in their order of precedence, the names of their respective Patrons, and the Halls where they assemble. • The collar of S. S. was first presented to the city, in 1660, by Charles II. Some years after, Sir Michael Creagh, the Lord Mayor, absconded during his mayoralty, carrying the collar with him. A new collar was presented to the city by William 111. The custom is still continued of opening certain courts by proclamation at the city gates, where the delinquent is called on to appear in the fol- lowing terms : — “ Sir Michael Creagh, Sir Michael Creagh, Sir Michael Creagh, come and appear at this court of our Lord the King, before the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of the city of Dublin, or you will be outlawed.” PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 161 GUILD. | PATRON. No. of Repr. HALL. Merchants Holy Trinity. 31 Exhib. -house, Wm.-sf Taylors St. John Baptist 4 Back-lane Smiths St. Loy 4 Do. Barbers St. Mary M&gdal. 2 Do. Bakers St. Anne 4, Ahdeon’s Arch Butchers The Virgin Mary 3 Do. Carpenters Do. 3 . Do; Shoemakers Do. 4 Do, Saddlers Do. 3 Back-lane Cooks St. James the Ap. .. 2 MorrisorPs.Dawsou-st Tanners St. Nicholas 2 Greenhide Crane Tallow Chandlers St. George 2- Audeon s Arch Glovers and Skinners Virgin Mary 2 Back-lane Weavers Do, 3 Coombe Sheermen and Dyers St. Nicholas Z, . 1 Do: Goldsmiths All Saints * 4 . Golden lane Coopers St. Patrick , 2 Stafford street Felt Makers- 2 Audeon’s Arch Cutlers, Painters jStatrs* Bricklayers StvLuke 3 Capel-street St. Bartholomew 2 . Audeon .’s- Arch Hosiers St. George 2 Coombe Curriers St. Nicholas 2 Back -Lane Brewers St. Andrew 4 Morrison’s ,Dawson-st. Joiners 2 Apothecaries St. Luke 2 96 Mary -street The taylors, carpenters, weavers, goldsmiths, cut- lers, and stationers, have halls appropriated to their respective guilds. That of. the taylors is the oldest, and is ornamented; with the^ portraits of Charles I. William III. and Dean Swift; with some other' paint- ings. The Weavers’ Hall, which is spacious, * also* contains many portraits, particularly a curious one o£ George IT executed in tapestry, about sixty yearn 162 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. ago, when that manufactory was attempted to be in- troduced into Dublin. The inscription quaintly tells us that it was executed by “John Vanbeaver, Liberty Weaver.” The revenue of the city is calculated at near 23,000/. per annum ; but the expenditure is said to exceed the income. POLICE. The Police of the Metropolis has undergone a variety of changes since the lirst establishment of a watch during the reign of Elizabeth ; but the most re- markable was the memorable Police Act, passed in 1785, which for ten years was a source of the most vexatious disquietude to the city of Dublin. It was re- pealed in 1795, and the old watch restored ; but this being found totally inefficient, the present Police Es- tablishment was formed in 1808, during the chief se- cretaryship of the Duke of Wellington, (then Sir A. Wellesley). The jurisdiction of the Police extends to all places within eight miles of the Castle of Dublin. This dis- trict is formed into six divisions, with their respective offices, namely — 1, The Castle Division, Office , Exchange Court . 2, Liberty Division, Ushers Quay. 3, Second Liberty Division, James s-street. 4, King's Inns Division, Montrath-street. 5, Mountjoy-square Division, Marlborough-st. 6, Merrion-square Division, College-street . To each of these divisions are attached three Jus- tices ; the first an Alderman of the city, the second a Barrister of the Court, of six years standing, and the third a Sheriffs' Peer.The Alderman attached to the Castle Di- vision is chief Magistrate of the Police. He receives a salary of 600/. a-year, with a house to reside in. The other Justices have 500/. a-year each. One or more PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 163 of the Divisional Justices attends every day at each of the public offices, from ten in the morning until three in the afternoon, and from seven until eight in the evening. They are empowered to examine all persons accused of murder, treason, felony, conspiracies, frauds, riots, assaults, and misdemean- ors of every kind ; to hear and determine some parti- cular cases in a summary way, and administer affida- vits to all who may apply to them. The public Of- fice belonging to the Castle division is called the Head Police Office, to which the other offices make daily returns. All public carriages are under the exclu- sive control of the justices of this division, with whom complaints of misconduct against the owners or drivers must be lodged within fourteen days after the offence has been committed. As these vehicles are numbered, persons who are careful to note the number cannot fail of obtaining redress, if at any time imposed upon. The entire police establishment consists of six Al- dermen, six Sheriffs Peers, six Barristers, one Secretary, twelve clerks, six chief constables, sixty-six peace- officers, twenty-six constables of the watch, thirty horse-police, one hundred and seventy foot patrole for city and country, and four hundred and ninety- three watchmen, amounting in the whole to seven hundred and ninety-one effective men. They are mostly discharged militia-men, whose spirit and good conduct have been certified ; patroles are con- tinually in motion during the night to prevent depre- dations, and see that the watchmen are on their posts ; and the peace-officers are constantly in attendance awaiting the commands of the magistrates. The horse patrole are quartered in Kevin-street barrack ; and there are thirteen houses in various parts of the city, over each of which two or three constables pre- side. Police houses are also established in nine of the adjacent villages, namely, Rathfarnham, Firrhouse, Chapelizod, Castleknock, Crumlin, Finglas, Coolcck, m PICTURE OF DUBLIN* Williamstown, and Dundrum. At these places about seventy Policemen are stationed, who send out pa- troles at night on the different avenues leading to the town. Such is the present system of police in the Irish capital, which has already been found so effica- cious, that there is not, perhaps, a great city in Eu- rope where fewer outrages are committed. The ex- pense of the watch for the city is defrayed by a tax on all houses within the circular, road ; that for the police by Parliamentary grants. . MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS. The Mansion-house (the residence of the Lord Mayor,) is situated in a recess in Dawson-street, near the north side of Stephen’s -green. It is a mean brick building, by no means according with the other public edifices of the metropolis-. It contains, how- ever, some spacious apartments, well adapted to the convivial purposes to which they are appropriated. In some of the rooms are exhibited whole length portraits of Charles IL William HI. the Duke of Bolton, the Duke of Richmond, the Marquisses of Townsend and Buckingham, with some other eminent noblemen, &c. In the garden opposite the street stands -an equestrian statue of George L The City Assembly-house, William street, was originally built by a society of artists. This building is not more deserving of notice than the Mansion- house. Here the meetings of the Corporation are held, for the despatch of business, upon which ooca- sion much talent and disputation are frequently exhi- bited by political opponents. Sessions-House, Green-street . — This building^ stands between the prison of Newgate and the She— PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 165 riffs prison, and was opened for the despatch of busi- ness in 1797. A pediment, supported by six pilasters, forms the front, but the passages approaching the in- terior, are extremely inconvenient for the crowds that pass into it. The Hall of Justice is spacious, and the roof supported by four Ionic columns. Four Courts are held in this edifice, viz. the Quarter Sessions for the City, the Commission of Oyer and Terminer, the Court of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and the Court of Record. The Quarter Sessions are opened four times in the year for the trial of minor offences, and held by adjournment once a fortnight. At this Court the Recorder and two Aldermen, at least, preside. The Commission of Oyer and Termi- ner usually sits six times in the year, for a week each time, at which, two judges of the land preside for the trial of offences of a more serious kind. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs hold their Court every Thursday, to hear complaints relative to apprentices, journey- men’s wages, &e. ; and the Court of Record is held in January, April, July, and October, to decide on actions of debt by civil-bill process. At the Sessions- house is also held the Town Clerk’s Office. In these Courts the numbers convicted in 1820 was 1046. Of these 11 received sentence of death, (but none were executed) and 157 received sentence of transpor- tation. It will be observed, that the offences have been, for the most part, of a trivial nature. The very li- mited number of executions proves, that street and house-robberies, with other public outrages of an atro- cious nature, have very rarely occurred since the estab- lishment of the present admirable system of police. MANORS. .Since the great extension of the Irish capi- tal, a considerable portion of it lies beyond the ju- 166 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. risdiction of the Lord Mayor. There are four Ma- nors, namely, Glasnevin, Thom as -court and Donore, St. Sepulchre’s, and the Deanery of St. Patrick, which have their respective officers and courts. The Manor of Glasnevin, more generally deno- minated Grange Gorman, comprehends all the streets of Dublin beyond the precincts of the city, on the north side of the Lififey. These are marked by a line from Summer-hill to Stoney -batter, which includes thirty -three streets, together with Mountjoy-square. The officers are, a Seneschal,, Register, and Marshal, who are appointed by the Bishop of Kildare, as Dean of Christ Church. As there is neither a prison nor Court-house at present in this Manor, the Seneschal holds a kind of ambulatory sessions ; occasionally Grand Juries are sworn in at Easter and Michael- mas. Liberty of Thomas-Court and Donore, ge- nerally called the Earl of Meath’s Liberty, includes the entire parish of St. Luke, and three-fourths of St. Catherine’s. It is divided into four wards, namely. Upper Coombe, Lower Coombe, Thomas-Court, and Pimlico, including forty streets and lanes, and a popu- lation of about 40,000 souls. The Court of this Ma- nor is very ancient, having been erected under a char- ter of King John. The officers are, a Seneschal, Re- gister, and Marshal, all appointed by the Earl of Meath, to whose ancestor the ancient monastery of Thomas-Court, with a carucate of land, called De- nower, was granted by Henry V1IL The Court- house is an ancient edifice in Great Thomas-oourt, and the Liberty Marshalsea is in Marrowbone-lane. The Seneschal exercises no criminal jurisdiction, but decides all cases of debt under 40s. as in a Court of Conscience, and all above that sum with the assistance PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 167 of a Jury. He swears in Grand and Market-Juries at Easter and Michaelmas, and his municipal autho- rity within the Liberty is nearly equal to that of the Lord Mayor within the City. The Liberty and Manor of St. Sepulchre includes the parish of St. Nicholas Without, and part of those of St. Peter and St. Kevin. By several charters, commencing in the reign of King John, the Archbishop of Dublin is constituted Lord of this Ma- nor, to which eight other Manors, situated in the coun- ties of Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow, are subject ; for all these there is a common Gaol in the Liberty, and their Magistrates, called Portrieves, are appoint- ed by the Seneschal of St. Sepulchre's. The privi- leges of this Manor are very extensive. The Lord of the Manor holds Courts Leet, Courts Baron, and a Court of Record, wherein, pleas arising within the jurisdiction, may be tried to any amount. He also formerly exercised a criminal jurisdiction. The Liberty has its own coroner, clerks of the market, &c. and no magistrate of the crown, or officer of the city or county is privileged to execute any thing belonging to his office within its limits, unless in case of default on the part of its own officers ; and besides other privi- leges, the Lord of the Manor is entitled to all the tines imposed on jurors for non-attendance at the King's Bench, Common Pleas, and Exchequer, Com- mission of Oyer and Terminer, and Sessions of the Peace for the city and county of Dublin, as well as all forfeited recognizances, &c. &c. The municipal authority of the Seneschal is similar to that of the Lord Mayor within the City. A very handsome Court-house and Marslialsea have been lately erected for this Manor, not far from the new basin at the Grand Canal. Deanery of St. Patrick. The jurisdiction of 168 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. these liberties is extremely limited, including only a few poor streets. It is a completely insulated spot, circumscribed by the contiguous Manors of Thomas- court and St. Sepulchre's. The Seneschal and other officers are appointed by the Dean and Chapter ; but no court is held. Debtors of small sums, while resid- ing here, are not amenable either to the adjoining Ma- nor Courts, or the City Court of Conscience. PRISONS. Newgate. — This name was given to the old gaol of the city of Dublin, which stood in Corn-market, from its having been formerly one of the city gates. The former appellation continues attached to the present prison, the first stone of which was laid in the Little Green, on the north side of the city, in 1773. The site is considered to have been most injudiciously cho- sen, as there is not sufficient extent for the necessary yards and other accommodations ; it is surrounded by wretched streets, and the ground is so low as to render the constructions of sewers to carry off its filth im- practicable. The building was erected under the di- rection of Mr. Thomas Cooley, at the expense of 16,0001, It is a large qaadrangular pile of three sto- ries, extending 170 feet in front, and 127 in depth, having, at the external angles, four round towers. In the front are the guard-room, hospital, com- mon-hall, long-room, chapel, &c. ; and on the other sides of the quadrangle are the cells, which are universally 12 feet by 8, badly disposed and ven- tilated. The cells for the condemned are truly gloomy ; they are nine in number, and compose the cellarage of the east front. There are two common halls to the prisoners yard, where they are allowed liberty to walk. Previous to the year 1808, the internal management PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 169 of this prison was defective in the extreme, and abuses of a very flagrant nature are said to have existed. It was visited at that period by the Commissioners ap- pointed for inspecting the Prisons of Ireland, who found the prisoners, tried and untried, and even some under sentence of death, indiscriminately mingled to- gether, without any attempt at classification ; and in some instances, from 8 to 14 were crowded together in one cell. Want of cleanliness and comfort was visi- ble throughout the building, while the hospital was destitute of almost every essential necessary. Infor- mation was received by the Commissioners, that such was the anarchy and insubordination that prevailed amongst the prisoners from want of proper discipline, that robbery and other crimes of a more horrible na- ture, were frequently committed within the prison, which were not only permitted but encouraged by the turnkeys. These evils had, however, at that period, ceased in a considerable degree, and the measures soon after adopted by the Imperial Parliament, seconded by the indefatigable personal exertions of Mr. Secretary Pole, have effected a most happy and salutary change in this abode of misery, as far as its confined and in- commodious situation would permit. Much room has been obtained by fitting up parts of the prison which had been previously unoccupied. The greatest atten- tion is paid to the cleanliness and ventilation of the apartments. The provisions are of a wholesome and nutritious quality, and that refractory and disorderly spirit which formerly prevailed, has so completely sub- sided, that the use of irons is frequently dispensed with, except in cases of capital convictions. This happy change is, in a great measure, to be attributed to the humane, yet vigilant conduct of the present gaoler and his deputy. The salaries of the officers attendant on this prison, amount to nearly 20001. a year. L I/O PICTURE OF DUBLIN. The Sheriff’s Prison, also situated in the Little Green, north of the Sessions-house, was built in 1794, with the view of preventing the abuses of spong- ing-houses. This object was, in a great measure, an- swered, but the extent of the building Was by no means adequate to the number of prisoners sometimes confined in it. Previous to the visit of the inspectors, the grossest abuses also prevailed here. The keeper had no salary, but rented his office from the sub- sheriff, from whence arose a Strong temptation to charge the unfortunate inmates an exorbitant rent for their wretched apartments, and encourage the con- sumption of spirituous liquors. This evil now no longer exists, as the keeper receives a salary, and consider- able attention is paid to the comforts and cleanliness of the prisoners. Many inconveniences, however, still remain, owing to the small extent and plan of the building; and there is no fund for supplying the poorer class of prisoners with food, fuel, or bedding, except what arises from casual donations, and the an- nual distribution, at Christmas, of bread and meat, purchased with the interest of £'800 which was be- queathed for that purpose by a Mr. Powell, who had been himself a prisoner. The Four Courts Marshalsea is erected in an elevated situation, near Thomas-street ; but like the other prisons, is much too small for the num- ber of prisoners confined in it, as the Marshal is obliged to admit debtors from all parts of Ireland, who are desirous to receive the benefit of the maintenance and insolvent acts. The building is 180 feet by 120, di- vided into two court-yards. In the upper is the house of the Marshal, apartments for his deputy, the tap, guard room, and common hall, over the latter of which are the prisoners' rooms. In the lower court are a chapel, infirmary, ball-court, common bath, and privies. Similar abuses formerly prevailed in this prison to PICTURE OF DUBLIN-. 171 those we have already noticed, but they have been re- medied in a most extraordinary degree by the indefa- tigable exertions of Mr. Pole and the Judges, to carry into effect the wise and humane Act of George HI* . A new yard of considerable extent has been added ; an additional building has been erected, where the poorer prisoners have apartments, with beds and bedding, rent free ; and, in cases of extreme indigence, they are sup- plied with bread. Great attention is now paid to the cleanliness of the prison, and every indulgence consist- ent with their security, is afforded to its unfortunate in- habitants. Want of sufficient ventilation is the great- est evil complained of, an inconvenience which the si- tuation of the building renders it difficult to re- medy. The City Marshalsea adjoins the Sessions house, and was built in 1804, for the confinement of persons under process of the Lord Mayors Court and the Court of Conscience, who are generally of the very poorest classes. These unfortunate persons depend entirely upon casual charity for the supply of their wants, and, with the exception of those who can afford a higher rent, they pay one penny per night for lodging in the common hall. Kilmainham Gaol, the prison of the county Dub- lin, receives both debtors and felons. It is on an ele- vated situation, and has a good supply of excellent water. A lofty , wall encloses a rectangular space of 283 feet by 190, containing the main building, 178 by 102 feet, composed of two quadrangles, in which are apartments for the keeper, a chapel, infirmary, work-room, common hall, and fifty-two cells. The prison is well ventilated, and accommodated with spacious yards. The guard-room and door-keepers office are detached from the building. This prison is well adapted to the classification of. prisoners 172 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. which has been in a good measure carried into effect. Under the directions of Mr. Pole, a penitentiary has been established in it, in which several of the prison- ers are employed in weaving, and other handicraft oc- cupations, The experiment has been attended with so much success, that some have been liberated on bail, and others admitted into the army and navy. The convicts from the north are received into this prison previous to transportation. INSTITUTIONS FOR THE REFORMATION OF PRISONERS. The House of Correction on the Circular Road, near New-street, is a ponderous and massive building, well suited to the purposes for which it has been erected. The keepers lodge is advanced beyond the main body of the building, and at the angles are pro- jecting turrets which command the main walls on the outside. In these centinels are placed, to prevent any attempts to escape. Rope walks are placed outside the main building, but within the enclosing wall. On the front is this inscription, “ Cease to do evil — learn to do well! 1 The city arms, consisting of three blazing cas- tles, are emblazoned over the gate-way, with this suitable motto : Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas. Young vagrants of both sexes are confined in this building ; each sex is kept distinct, and they are ar- ranged in classes, and kept usefully employed. The expense exceeds 30,0001. which is defrayed by pre- sentment. The first stone was laid by the Duke of Richmond. A Sunday-school has been lately estab- PICTURE OF I>UBLrN. 173 listed here, from which tlie happiest effects may he expected. Dublin Penitentiary.-.— This building, the first stone of which was laid in 1812 by the Duke of Rich- mond, presents a front of 700 feet to Grange-gorman- lane, is in depth about 400 feet, and covers an area of three acres. It is a plain substantial edifice, with a handsome front, and the estimated expense is about 40,0001. Howard’s plan of solitary confinement has been adopted here, with a gradual progress to society as the convict becomes reclaimed. After being liberat- ed from his cell he is permitted to associate with ten or more persons, in an equal state of moral improve- ment, and from thence, according to his merits, is advanced to large work-shops* where he experiences less restraint. . Persons continuing incorrigible are in the end transported to Botany Bay; the great majority, however, have been apprenticed to trades, permitted to enter the army or navy, or restored to their friends. Great attention is paid to the moral and religious in- struction of the prisoners, from which the happiest effects are already perceptible. The situation of the building is extremely healthy, and attached to it are all the conveniences necessary to such an establish- ment, Prisoners of both sexes are admitted here who are properly separated and classed. There is in Smith-, field also a penitentiary. INSTITUTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE CITY. Pipe-Water Committee. — This committee is ex- clusively /formed from the Corporation, and consists of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Treasurer, twelve Aider- men, and. twentyrfour Common Council-men, wha L 3 174 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. meet every Monday at the Assembly-house in William- street. The expense of the establishment is above 20,0001. a year, raised by a tax on every house. The city is supplied with water of the purest kind, from three basins or reservoirs, the first, called the city basin in James'-street, which sends its streams by means of a curious system of pipes, to every house in the western part of the metropolis, while the north- eastern is supplied by the basin in Blessington* street, and the south-eastern by that at Portobello. Around each of these reservoirs is a handsome walk* bounded by quickset hedges, which form a delightful prome- nade for the inhabitants in its vicinity. — The circuit of the city basin is above half an English mile. Commissioners for Paving and Lighting. — This board is appointed by the Lord Lieutenant, and consists of three commissioners, a secretary, treasurer, and two supervisors, who are entrusted with the paving and lighting of the city, watering the streets, con- structing sewers, and making such regulations as may be necessary to carry these objects into effect; and for these purposes they are empowered to levy taxes to a certain amount. The business of the Board is conducted at a large mansion in Mary-street, and though the load of taxes it brings on the citizens is much complained of (amounting to about 50,0001. annually) yet it must be allowed that the objects of the establishment are well attended to. No city in Europe can boast of better pavement or more commodious flagged-ways, wdiile it is well lighted by 6000 lamps, distributed in the most judicious manner over every part of the city. .Commissioners of Wide Streets. — This Board was first established in 1757, to make a wide and conveni- ent street from Essex-bridge to the Castle of Dublin, and they were afterwards impowered to proceed to other great plans of public utility, A brief sketch of PICTURE OP DUBLIN* 175 the improvements that have taken place since that period will best shew the energy with which this esta- blishment has been conducted. In 1762 Parliament- street was opened and built. In 1768, the passages to> the Castle from the Exchange through Palace-street and Cork-hill were enlarged. In 1790, that part of Dame-street between the Castle-gate and South Great George’ s-street, was widened. In the same year James’s gate was opened, and since that period,. Westmoreland- street, Sackville-street, and North Frederick street,havo been built, completing one of the finest avenues* in Europe, from Dorset-street to Colllege. green. Add to these the removal of the obstructions which deformed the quays, the completion of Abbey- street to Beresford-place, the intended improvements in the line of New Brunswick-street and D'Olier street, and the removal of those obstructions which blocked up the two venerable cathedrals, and it must be admit- ted that no city in Europe can boast of greater improve- ments in the short space of half a century. The Com- missioners of Wide Streets are nor a corporation. They receive no salaries, and when a vacancy occurs by death or resignation, the Board elects a new member, subject to the approbation of the Lord Lieutenant- Their revenues have arisen from parliamentary grants,, and duties on coals, cards, and club-houses- Ballast-Office.— The Corporation under this title was first instituted in 1707, for improving the port and harbour ; and for that purpose powers were vested in the Lord Mayor, Commons, and Citizens of Dublin. In 1786 a new Corporation was formed by an Act of the Legislature, to be composed of the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs for the time being, three Aldermen, and seventeen other persons named in the Act, who were either mer- chants or highly respectable public characters. They have perpetual powers to fill up all vacancies, and their efforts have been of the highest public utility. 176 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. The Corporation is now formed into a body nearly like « the Elder Brethren of the Trinity-house in London, to whom an account of all newly-projected works is communicated, subject to the approbation of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, and the Lords of the Treasury. To this Corporation is entrusted every thing relative to the port of Dublin, the care of the quay walls and bridges, and the superintendance of the light-houses around the Irish coast. Since the establishment of the first Corporation, the ground at both sides of the river has been enclosed, the south and north walls, with the liglit-house, built; the former is the most extensive mole in Europe, stretching from the light house to Bar- rack Bridge, 29,554 , feet, or near six English miles. The quay-walls have been finished in a style of ele- gance not to be surpassed, and several beautiful bridges have been lately erected. Through the activity of this Corporation eight new light-houses have been added to the fourteen which existed on the coast at Ireland in 1810; and many of the latter have been repaired and re-lighted. The expense of the improve- ments in the port has been defrayed by a tax on ship- ping, and that of the quays and bridges by a house tax and Grand Jury presentments. Post office. HOILTSTE ©f COMMOKS.MBOO. Foim COURTS. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 172 COURTS OF LAW. The Court of Chancery is of very ancient insti- tution, and next to the Parliament, is the highest court of judicature in the realm. It is a court both of law and equity, holding pleas of various matters after the method of the common law in its first capacity, and from this court issue all original writs, commissions of bankruptcy, lunacy, charitable uses, &c. The court of equity moderates the rigours of the common law, and to maintain a suit in this court it must be al- ways alleged thadthe plaintiff is incapable of obtaining relief at common law, and this must be without any fault of his own, as having lost his bond, &c. The court of chancery has a general jurisdiction over mat- ters beyond the power of inferior tribunals, gives relief for and against infants, notwithstanding their minority,, and for and against married women, notwithstanding their coverture. Executors may be called upon to give security and pay interest for money that has lain long in their hands, and all frauds for which there is no? remedy at common law, may be here redressed. The Lord Chancellor takes precedence of all Peers except the Primate. The Court of King’s Bench is the supreme Court of Common Law, and in it a Chief Justice and three puisne Judges preside ; they are by their office the sove- reign conservators of the peace, and the supreme coro- ners of the land. In England the King himself has sometimes presided in this court, from which it has derived its name. Its powers are very extensive, taking cognizance both of criminal and civil causes. It has the superintendance of all civil corporations, can reverse erroneous judgments, and punish all magistrates and inferior officers for wilful and corrupt abuses of their authority. 178 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. The Court of Common Pleas holds pleas of all civil causes at Common Law, between subject and subject in actions real, personal, and mixed, but it has no cognisance of pleas of the Crown. A Chief Jus- tice and three puisne Justices also preside in this Court. The Court of Exchequer was originally intended to order the revenues of the Crown and recover the King’s debts and duties. It now consists of two divi- sions, the first of which manages the revenue, and the other is a court of record. The latter is again sub- divided into a court of equity and a court of common law. A Chief Baron and three puisne Barons preside in this court. The Four Courts, whose objects and powers we have just described, were formerly ambulatory, being sometimes held in Carlow, sometimes in Drogheda, but more frequently in the Castle of Dublin. In 1695 they were removed to Christ Church-lane, where they were held under one roof till the present edifice was opened for the administration of justice, in November, 1796. It is situated on King’s Inns-quay, near Rich- mond-bridge, north of the Liffey, and the first stone was laid by the Duke of Rutland on the 13th of March, 1786. The western wing was finished by Mr. Thomas Cooley, and on his demise the completing of it was given to Mr. James Gandon. The sum esti- mated as necessary for the entire accomplishment of the work was 150,600/. The whole building forms an oblong rectangle of 440 feet in front to the river, and 170 feet in depth. The centre pile, which is 140 feet square, contains the four courts of judicature. — The portico in front has an ascent of five steps, and consists of six pillars of the Corinthian order- On the pediment over the portico stands the statue of Moses, with those of Justice and Mercy on each side, and on PICTURE OF DUBLIW 179 the corners of the building are the statues of Wisdom and Authority in a sitting posture. The great hall, which is an object of just admiration, forms a circle of 64 feet inscribed in a square of 140, with the four courts radiating from the circle to the angles of the square. — In the space between the courts are several handsome rooms for the judges, jurors, and officers of the courts there is also an extensive coffee-room. The hall is lighted by a dome, containing eight windows, between which are colossal statues of Liberty, Justice, Wis- dom, Law, Prudence, Mercy, Eloquence, and Pu- nishment. A rich frieze of foliage rises above these Statues, and extends around the dome ; in it are medal- lions of eight eminent law-givers, viz. Moses, Lycur- gus, Solon, Numa, Confucius, Alfred, Mancha-Capac, and Ollamh-Fodlila. Around the hall are columns of the Corinthian order, with an entablature and an attic pedestal. Eight sunk pannels in the piers correspond with the eight openings below% and in the pannels over the entrances into the courts are bas-reliefs representing William the Conqueror establishing Courts of Justice, Feudal Laws, &c. King John signing Magna Charta, Henry II. receiving the Irish Chieftains, and James I. abolishing the Brehon laws. In term time this hall is a scene of the greatest bustle, being crowded with law- yers and loungers, among whom are frequently many of the light-fingered gentry. Strangers who visit it at such times have need to look well to their pockets. — All the courts are of equal dimensions and similar construction, and each is lighted by six windows. — They are convenient in every respect. Court-yards at each side contain the public offices. They are enclosed from the street by handsome screen walls, perforated by arches. Inns of Court. — There are no records of the pro- ceedings of the law courts in Dublin previous to the reign of Edward 1. Soon after this, Sir Robert Pres- 180 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. ton, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, fitted up his large mansion, which occupied the present site of the Royal Exchange, for the Inns of Court, and here the benchers and barristers lodged for two centuries. In 1542, the Inns of Court were removed to the monas- tery of the Dominicans, where the Four Courts now stand ; a statute was, however, passed soon after, de- claring that every person entitled to practise at the Irish bar, should previously reside a certain number of years at an English Inn of Court. This for some time proved very prejudicial to the establishment, but in 1607 the Society was Tenewed, and assumed a more regular form. Judges, Barristers, and Attornies were enrolled, the price of commons for a judge being at that time 7s. a week, and for a barrister 5s. The troubles which followed for more than a century re- tarded the progress of the institution, and the buildings were fast mouldering to decay. The site having at length been appropriated to the erection of the Courts of Justice, apiece of ground of about three acres was chosen at the top of Henrietta-street, where the foun- dation stone of the present structure was laid in 1802. The part of the edifice already finished consists of two wings, and looks towards Constitution-hill, and the rere blockades the upper end of Henrietta-street in a most aukward manner. The front of each wing is very handsome, being ornamented in a truly chaste and classical style. The dining-hall is a noble apart- ment, 81 feet long, and 42 broad, ornamented at each end by four Ionic columns, which support a massive frieze and cornice, on which repose statues of the four cardinal virtues. Niches between the windows are intended for statues, and in the hall are portraits of Lords Manners and Avonmore. The library is 42 feet long by 27 broad, and contains a considerable number of volumes. Commons are provided in the dining hall during the law term, and in vacation dur- ing the sitting of the Court of Exchequer; absentees PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 181 arc fined the amount of two days commons. Con- nected with the courts are 4 5 benchers, 950 barristers, 2,000 attornies, 12 proctors in the ecclesiastical, and 8 in the admiralty courts, and 50 public notaries. Hhjh Court of Admiralty. — This Court takes cognizance of all contracts on the High Seas, seamen's wages, bottomry bonds, cases of salvage, &c. It is held in the Four Courts — its proceedings are adminis- tered by the civil law, and its officers are a judge, a register, and a Kings advocate. L 182 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. STATE OF COMMERCE. An estimate may bp formed of the increase of the trade of Dublin within little more than thirty years, from the simple fact, that in 1784 the number of ships invoiced in this port was 2,803, and the tonnage 228,956, while in 1817 the number of ships was 3,483, and the tonnage 349,000. The produce of customs and duties in the former year was 485,039/. 14$. 9 d. In the latter 1,309,908/. 0$. 2d. The im- ports from the West Indies consist of sugar, rum, cot- ton, and coffee ; from the United States of America, tobacco, flax-seed, cotton, pot-ashes, pearl-ashes, tar, rosin, and turpentine ; from Canada, timber ; from the Baltic, hemp, flax, iron, timber, tallow, bristles, isinglass, rein-deer tongues, and caviar ; from the Mediterranean, silk, marble, drugs, currants, fruit, and wines ; from Holland, Geneva, madder, toys, clover-seed, and flax-seed ; from France, wine*, oil, vinegar, brandy, cork-wood, fruits, kid-skins, clover- seed, and turpentine ; from England, seeds, steel, coal,f hard-ware, woollen-drapery, &c. with all co- lonial and other foreign produce ; and from Scotland, fish, coal, wrouglit-metals, and ale. The exports consist of corn, rape-seed, butter, provisions, glass, soap, candles, linens, coarse manufactured cotton, and iron goods. There is also a considerable coasting trade. Connected with the trade and commerce of •In 1753, 8,000 tons of tiful edifice is nearly a square of 100 feet, having three fronts of Portland stone, in the Corinthian order, crowned by a dome in the centre of the building, — * The north and west parts are nearly similar in appear- ance,* each having a range of six columns, with their correspondent pilasters and entablatures ; but the for- mer has a noble pediment highly decorated. Jn this front, between the columns, are three entrances, with elegant iron gates hung to Ionic columns, over which are the windows richly ornamented by architraves., &c. A -fine ballustrade, interrupted only by the pedi- ment, runs round the top of the building. A large flight of steps leads to the entrance, round which is a handsome iron railing.* The inside of the edifice must appear strikingly beautiful to the lovers of archi- tecture. Twelve Composite fluted columns support the dome, which form a circular walk in the centre of the ambulatory ; the entablature over these columns' is splendidly enriched, and above it are twelve elegant circular windows. Stucco ornaments in the Mosaic ♦Previous to the year 1815 the fleps were enclosed by hallux- trades of massy cast iron, but being supported by a wall of only four inches, a crowd of people having assembled on the steps to see a criminal whipt, the w hole fell, by which several lives were un- fortunately lost, and many limbs broken. 184 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. taste decorate the ceiling of the dome, which is di- vided into small hexagonal compartments, and in the centre is a large window. Opposite the north entrance, on a pedestal of white marble, stands a statue in brass of our late revered sovereign, King George the Third, which was executed by Van Nost, and cost seven hundred guineas. Semi-pilasters of the Ionic order extend to upwards of half the height of the columns, and above them is an entablature, festoons of drapery, &c. The floor of the ambulatory is handsomely inlaid, particularly in the centre, and at each extremity of the north side are oval geometrical stair-cases enlightened by flat oval lanterns in the ceil- ing. In a niche on the west stair-case is a beautiful pedestrian statue of the celebrated Doctor Lucas, sculptured in white marble by Mr. Edward Smyth, the expense of which was defrayed by some gentlemen, admirers of that patriot. A coffee-room, which is an excellent apartment, extends from one stair case to the ether, and is lighted by the windows in the north front, and by two oval lanterns in a coved ceiling richly ornamented. Qn the west is a large room where the Committee of Merchants and Commissioners of Bank- rupts meet. To the south are the apartments of the house-keeper, and on the east is an apartment appro- priated to the use of the Commissioners of Wide Streets. The trustees are the Lord Mayor, High She- riffs, City Representatives, City Treasurer, Senior Master of the Guild of Merchants, and twelve Mer- chants of respectability. Mr. Thomas Cooley was the architect of this mag- nificent building. Lord Viscount Townshend laid the first stone on the 2d of August, 1769, and it was opened on the 1st of January, 1779. The whole ex- pense was about 40,00S/., 13,500/. of which was granted by Parliament, and the remainder defrayed by lottery schemes, conducted by the merchants with the strictest integrity. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 186 Commercial Buildings. — As the Royal Exchange w tfs found not to answer every purpose for which it was intended, some respectable Merchants opened a subscription to erect a building as near the centre of tiie city as possible, for the accommodation of the mercantile body. For this purpose shares of 50/. each were issued, and 400 subscribers speedily obtained. — The ground on which the old post-office yard and Crown-alley stood, was taken, and in 1796, the building commenced under the superintendance of Mr. Parks. In three years it was opened for the trans- action of business. The exterior is plain but elegant, and consists of three stories surmounted by a cornice* The bottom is of rustic, and in the centre is the door- case supported by Ionic pillars. The middle story contains seven windows, surmounted by alternate an- gular and circular pediments. There is a grand hall, on the left of which is the coffe-room, 60 feet long, 28 in breadth, and 20 in height. The dimensions being unbroken by pillars heightens the effect, and at night it is lighted by two elegant gilt branches. There are eight apartments in the building appropriated to an hotel. Over the Coffee-room is the Stock Exchange, and the other rooms are allotted to various mercantile purposes. In the rere is a spacious court, surrounded by insurance and broker s offices. A Chamber of Commerce lias been lately esta- blished, consisting of a president, four vice-presidents, and a committee of twenty-one. The object of the association is in their printed laws and regulations de- clared to be, k now the beasts and they shall teach thee, and the fowls of the air and they shall tell thee ; or speak to the earth and it shall PICTURE OF DUBLIN* 221 inform thee, and the fishes of the sea shall declare onto thee — Who knoweth not, in all these, that the hand of the Lord bath wrought this V’ — Job, xii. 7, 8, 9. u Each moss, Each shell, each crawling insect, holds a rank important in the plan* of Him who form’d The scale of beings ; holds a rank, w hich, lost. Would break the chain, and leave a gap Which Nature’s self would rue!” The Museum is opened to the public from twelve to three o’clock on Mondays and Fridays. No offi- cers of the Society are allowed to receive any gra- tuity. The happiest effects have flown from the fostering care extended by the Society for the flue Arts. Pre- miums are given for superior excellence in modelling, painting, statuary, and engraving. Many casts of busts and statues, taken from the best originals, have been procured, for the students to copy, among which are the Laocoon and. Apollo. Belvidere, a beautiful Bac- chus, a Venus de Medicis, a Roman Gladiator, the Listening Slave, Roman Boxers, and casts of the Elgin Marbles, which are open for inspection on Tuesdays and Saturdays. There is a Dancing Faunus in statuary marble, with some other figures,, as well as marble busts of Lord Chesterfield,. Doctor Madden, Mr. Prior, and Mr. Maple* In the drawing school are four compartments, over each of which a master presides, namely, figu re- drawing, architecture, landscape, and sculpture. The education is entirely gratuitous, and admission is free to all boys of merit. Much advantage has been derived from this establishment to various manufac- tures, particularly calico-printers, cabinet-makers, and glass cutters, and many young men, educated as car- penters, have an opportunity of obtaining a compe- tent knowledge of architecture and mechanics. The Society possesses several valuable models in mechanics, and among the rest a model of the celebrated wooden P 3 222 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. bridge over the Rhine, at Sehaffhausen, in Switzer- land. Lectures on natural philosophy, botany, chemistry, mineralogy, mining, and the veterinary art, are given at stated periods, by the different professors* to which the public are liberally invited. Royal Irish Academy. — So early as the year 1683, an attempt was made by Mr. M olyneaux to esta- blish a society in Ireland similar to the Royal Society of London, but though the celebrated Sir William Petty was its first president, it, existed but five years, owing to the distracted state of the country. In 1744 the Philo-Historic Society was established with a view of exploring the antiquities of Ireland, and Under its auspices Smith’s histories of the counties of Cork, Waterford, and Kerry were published, with some other" interesting works on similar subjects. This Society, however, soon experienced the fate of its precursor.— In the year 1782 , an aera auspicious to Ireland, some gentlemen, principally of the University, associated together for the purpose of promoting useful know- ledge. Among the members were General Vallancey and Doctor Ledwich. The Society increasing ra- pidly, it was incorporated in 1786 by the name of the Royal Irish Academy, for the study of polite litera- ture, science, and antiquities, and consists of a patron, who is the King, a visitor, who is the Lord Lieutenant: of Ireland, a president, four vice-presidents, a trea- surer, three secretaries, one of whom is for foreign, correspondence, a librarian, and a council of twenty- one members. The council is divided into committees of science, polite literature, and antiquities. There are near 200 members belonging to the Academy, each of whom pays five guineas on admission, and two gui- neas per annum. The Academy-house, which is in Orafton-street, is a large plain building, with suitable apartments. The library contains three valuable Irish PICTURE OF lUBuIN. 223 manuscript viz. the Book of Bally mote, the Book of Lecan, and the Leabhar Breac M‘Eogain, or the speckled book of M'Egan, which treat of Irish affairs at a very early period. Prizes are occasionally pro- posed by the Academy for the best compositions on given subjects, and the transactions are periodically published. Of these, thirteen quarto volumes have ap^ peared, containing many valuable papers on interesting subjects. The Kirwaxian Society was instituted in 1812, being thus designated in honour of the great chemist of Ireland, Richard Kirwan, Esq. The objects of the Society are to encourage the study of chemistry, mineralogy, and other branches of natural history, and to make a collection of the most valuable. books qf science, to provide a chemical apparatus, and to pub- lish periodically a volume of their transactions. — Though the Society is yet in its in fancy ,it has already purchased a philosophical apparatus, and commenced its library by some valuable books. Iberno-Celtic Society. — It has been 1 long a mat- ter of wonder and regret, that notwithstanding the vast quantities of materials for a history of Ireland,; and the elucidation of her antiquities, to he found in the many thousands of Irish manuscripts still preserved in various libraries on the Continent, as well as in those of Engr land and Ireland, so little has been done by the Irish people to give them publicity, through the medium of the press. Some attempts, however, have been made to encourage a publication of : the ancient history of Ireland, . and* something in that way has been effected ; but hitherto the ancient Irish manuscripts have not been applied to, and those documents which contain the laws, history, topography, and poetry of the coun- try are- suffered to remain -unexplored on the shelves of libraries; covered with the accummulated dust of ages, 224 PICTURE OP DUBLIN* except when some inquisitive genius, to gratify private curiosity, may be induced to open some of them, but the result of whose enquiries only serves to remind us that such things still have existence. Amongst the various modes adopted by most modern nations for the advancement of science, and'the inves- tigation of natural and civil history, that of establish* ing literary societies seems to be the most effectual. — Of what may be done by such associations in the in- vestigation of Gaelic antiquities, and the publication of original Gaelic documents, a sufficient specimen has been given in the several publications that have, within these few years, issued from the press, at the expense, or by the patronage of the Highland Societies of Edinburgh and London. The members of those societies, of which the descendants of the ancient Ga thelians form the chief part, have given strong proofs of their patriotism, and of their zeal to elucidate their antiquities, and to extend, or at feast preserve from decay, their ancient language. For this purpose they have employed, and liberally support, two learned clergymen, to compile a Dictionary of the Scottish Gaelic, and from the length of time that has elapsed since the work was first* undertaken, and the ample pa- tronage by which it is supported, it must be now in a great state of forwardness. It is much to be wished that a spark of that patriotic fire which enlivens them were communicated to their ancient relatives, the Ga- thelians, or Gaels, of Ireland. We might then soon expect to see the monuments of ancient Irish litera- ture disclosed to public view, and the reproach that has long lain upon the Irish people removed. - It is true, indeed, that Ireland has not been en- tirely negligent of her ancient history. Societies have been formed for the investigation of her history and antiquities, but from want of the invigorating fire of patriotism they successively and speedily fell into decay. In the year 1740, a number of literary gentle- PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 225 men associated under the name of the Physico^His- torical Society, and under their patronage, were f pub- lished the histories bf Cork, Kerry, and Waterford ; but they gave no encouragement to the publication of Irish manuscripts, and their association was of but short duration. In the year 1752, another Society was formed, under the name of “ Coimhtkionol Gao id- hilge ,” or “ Irish Society/’ The views of this So- ciety were confined to the publication of pieces or tracts in the Irish language,, but it does not appear that they ever published any thing. About the year 1783, the Society of Antiquaries was founded, and some of its members published a few curious tracts on the history and antiquities of the country, under the title of “ Collectanea de Rebus Hibernicis!' ■ This publication attracted the attention of several learned men, and amongst the rest tlie Right Hon. Edmund Burke, who procured from Sir J ohn Seabright the restoration to Ireland of a vast quantity of ancient Irish manuscripts that had fallen into his hands, and which are now deposited in the library of Trinity College.— Mr. Burke also wrote a letter to the late General Val- lancey, in which he recommended to the Society the publication of the ancient Irish documents in the origi- nal language, with literal translations into English or Latin, on opposite columns, like the Saxon Chronicle, and said lie did not see why the Psalter of Cashel should not be published as well as Robert of Glo’ster. He also declared it was in the expectation that some such thing should be done that he prevailed on Sir John Seabright to send his manuscripts to Dublin. But the expectations of Mr. Burke or Sir John have never been fulfilled- Indeed very shortly after this period the Society of Antiquaries became extinct, but from its remains sprung up the present Royal Irish Aca- demy. This Institution, at its first formation, paid some attention to Irish antiquities, but for several years, until the last, it seems to. have directed its prin- cipal attention to science. 226 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. The dissolution of so many Societies, and tlieir almost total neglect of Irish antiquities, induced a few individuals to form, in the year 1807, the Gaelic So- ciety of Dublin. That body employed a scribe to make copies of several valuable tracts, preserved Jin the Books of Leacan and Ballimote, in the library of the Royal Irish Academy, which the Academy, with a laudable liberality, threw open to the Society. — * They also, 'within a year after their formation, pub- lished a volume of Transactions, in which are con- tained Teige M'Daire’s Instructions to a Prince, in the original Irish, with a Latin translation, by the late Theophilus O'Flanagan, A. B. Secretary to the So- ciety r , and formerly a Scholar of Trinity College, and the tragic tale of the Children of Usnach, also in the original Irish, with a too strictly literal translation into English, by the same gentleman. Besides the volume now mentioned, the Gaelic So- ciety has published nothing as a body, but individual members of the association have published several works, which furnish the means for a compleat eluci- dation of the history, laws, manners, and customs- of the ancient Irish. The late Reverend Denis Tanfte, the first Secretary of the Society, published four vo- lume§, and several separate tracts, on the history of Ireland.. The Rev. Doctor Neilson, of the College. of Belfast, the late Rev. Paul O’Brien. Irish Professor at the College of. Maynooth, the late Wm. Haliday, a youth of extraordinary talents and acquirements, and the late Mr. Patrick Lynch, the last secretary of the Society, have each published a Grammar of the Irish language. Mr. Haliday also published the first part of Keating’s History of Ireland, in the original language, with a literal translation into English, on opposite pages ; and Mr. Edward O’Reilly, one of the vi/Je- presidents of the Society, has published an Irish-Eng- lish Dictionary, containing upwards of 50,000 words, collected from ancient andmaodern Irish manuscripts, PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 227 from printed books, and from tlie oral language of the country. A new edition of this work is now in a state of forwardness, and will be published immediately. — He has also translated the Annals of Innisfallen. and some other Irish tracts. The death of a great num- ber of the most active members of this Society, and the removal from Dublin of several others, caused it gradually to fall into decay, until at length the few remaining members voted its extinction, and in its stead, aided by some new members, in the year J 818, they erect- ed the present Iberno Celtic Society, the objects of which are set forth in their Resolution of 28th Ja- nuary, 1818, of which the following is a copy : — ‘ “ Resolved, That the principal objects of this So- ciety shall be the preservation of the venerable’remains of ancient Irish Literature, by collecting, transcribing, illustrating, and publishing the numerous Fragments of the Laws, History, Topography, Poetry, and Mu- sic of ancient Ireland ; the elucidation of the Lan- guage, Antiquities, Manners and Customs of the Irish People ; and the encouragement of works tending to the advancement of Irish Literature.” The Society has amongst its members noblemen of the highest rank, and others well 'qualified to perform the work for which they are associated , if they are supported by the addition of new members, and the punctual payment of their subscriptions, to defray the expenses attendant on publication, without which no - thing effectual can be accomplished. Since their for- mation the Society has published the first part of their Transactions for 1820, in a well printed quarto vo- lume, containing a list of the members, the rules and reguiafions of the Society, and “ a Chronological Ac- count of nearly 400 Irish writers, commencing with the earliest account of Irish history, and carried down to the. year 1750, with a descriptive catalogue of such of their works as are still extant in verse or prose, con- sisting of upwards of 1,000 separate Tracts.” This 228 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. work is drawn up by Mr. Edward O'Reilly, secretary to the Society, and author of the Irish-Englisli Di<^. tionary and Grammar, and several other Tracts. It is intended to be followed by a larger account of works, whose authors are- forgotten or unknown, but whose productions in law, history, annals, chronicles, topo- graphy, astronomy, divinity, medicine, poetry, mu^ic, and other branches of literature, are still to be found in public and private libraries. The Society is conducted by a president, five vice presidents, and a committee of twenty-one members. The officers for the present year are — Patron , His Excellency the Lord Lieutenant. — President, His Grace the Duke of Leinster.— Vice- Presidents, Most Noble the Marquis of Sligo ; Most Noble the Marquis of Thomond; Right Hon. Earl O’Neill; Right Hon. Lord Viscount Frankfort de Montmorency; and Right Hon. Lord Viscount M pnck .—Treasurer, Sir Wm. Betham — and Secretary , Edward O'Reilly, Esq. Archeological Society.— This Society was form- ed in Dublin a few years ago, and had for its president the Right Hon. the Earl of Charlemont. Its objects were nearly the same as those of the Iberpo- Celtic Society, but ’except the purchasing of a few Irish ma- nuscripts, which are ever since locked up, it does not appear that they have hitherto done any thing in pur- suance of the ends of their institution* PUBLIC LIBRARIES. Marsh's Library.— Doctor Narcissus Marsh, Archbishop of Dublin, having purchased the collection of books of the celebrated Bishop Stillingfleet, founded this library contiguous to St. Patrick's Cathedral. It was considerably increased by donations from others, PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 229 and now contains about 25,000 volumes, among which are some valuable works on Oriental literature, with a large proportion of polemic divinity. Some of the books contain curious notes in pencil by Dean Swift. The library is generally open except on Sundays and holidays from eleven till three, but its remoteness from the respectable part of the city, causes it to be little frequented. The room contains good portraits of Archbishops Marsh, Loftus, and Smyth, with some others. The Dublin Library Society commenced in 1791, and its first meetings were held at the house of Mr. Archer, an eminent bookseller in Dame-street. — It was afterwards removed to Burgh-quay, near Car- lisle-bridge, but the Society have lately erected a very handsome edifice in D’Olier- street, which cost 5000/. The library is supplied with an extensive collection of every modern work of merit, consisting of above twelve thousand volumes, and is opened from ten in the morning till five in the afternoon, and from seven till ten at night. One apartment is devoted to news and conversation, and is well supplied with English, Irish, and French newspapers, and other periodical publica- tions. The terms of admission are two guineas for the first, and one guinea for every succeeding year. To officers of the army and navy the additional subscrip- tion for the first year is liberally remitted. There is also a lending Library, the subscription to which is one guinea per annum. The Dublin Institution, Sackvzlle-street . — This library was founded in 1811, under the title of f the Dublin Institution for the purpose of enlarging the means of useful knowledge/ for which purpose 15,000/. was raised by 300 transferable debentures, and the hol- . ders of these are exclusive proprietors of the Institution. The objects of the Society are wholly literary and 230 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. scientific ; and besides the general library, which is extensive and well chosen, a circulating library is at- tached to it. A philosophical apparatus has also been procured, and a lecture-room erected, in which there are occasional lectures on interesting subjects. This room is well adapted for public meetings. The terms of admission to members are three guineas per annum, or a proportionate sum for any period ending the 1st of March. Officers of the army and navy are allowed to subscribe quarterly. The Institution is kept open till ten o'clock at night. RELIGIOUS ASSOCIATIONS. Association for discountenancing Vice . — At th© period when infidelity, and its constant attendant, im- morality, were making rapid strides on the Continent of Europe, and even threatened the peace and good order of society in the sister- country, the late Mr. Watson, bookseller, of Capel-street, conceived the plan of this institution, which has since produced the most beneficial results. His original associates were the Rev. Doctor O’Connor, of Castleknoc-k, and the Rev. Singleton Harpur, curate of St. Mary's. They held their first meeting in October, 1792, and in less than three years their numbers increased to nearly 500, while the Viceroy of Ireland proposed himself, and was elected their President. The object of the So- ciety is chiefly the religious education of the rising generation, which they endeavour to promote by as- sisting schools, both for building and for salaries, the distribution of premiums for proficiency in scriptural and catechetical knowledge, and by the circulation of interesting religious and moral publications. The ex- ertions of the Society produced, in a little time, effects of the happiest kind. Catechetical examinations were established among the children of all the charitable seminaries in Dublin, and have since been extended throughout Ireland. Above 30,000 bibles, testaments, prayer books, &c. were distributed, insurance in the lotteries, which had in many instances produced the most deplorable effects, was suppressed, and mea- sures were adopted for the reform of young criminals, which gave rise to the many important establishments now instituted for that purpose. In order to supersede 232 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. those immoral books of entertainment in general use among the lower classes, a copious edition of Miss Hannah More’s tracts was published, 120,000 of which were distributed to the poor the first year at reduced prices. A fund, was raised for the support of well-conducted servants in their old age, and another for alleviating the distresses of poor prisoners, from which originated the Debtors’ Friend Society. The Society was incorporated in 1800, and in 180.5, with the approbation of the Bishops, they commenced a plan of parochial education. They have since built Several school-houses, taken others under their patron- age, and established a seminary for the education of parish-clerks and school-masters. 60,733 bibles, 176,723 testaments, 102,802 prayer-books, and 1,023,756 religious moral books and tracts have been distributed by the Society since its commencement, at an expense of 32,9471. 9s. lid. Its funds arise from private subscriptions and parliamentary grants. The office of the Association is at No. 7, Capel-street. Hibernian Bible Society . — This Society was estab- lished in 1806, for the purpose of circulating the Scrip- tures through Ireland. Numerous auxiliary Societies have been since formed in various parts of the country. In 1814 a union was effected with the British and Foreign Bible Society,* by whom the New Testament has been published in the Irish character, with an English version in parallel columns. There are in * The exertions and success of the British and Foreign Bi- ble Society have been great almost beyond precedent. A few individuals associated themselves together for (he purpose of collecting subscriptions, to be employed in rendering the sacred Scriptures of more easy access, chiefly to the poor of their own oountry ; and, during the first year of the Society’s existence, its expenditure was only 691L 10s. 2d. But as it proceeded in its purpose, ihe field of its labour extended, and the support which it received became every day more general. The beauty and simpli- city of its design recommended it to Christians of all denominations, PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 233 Dublin several parochial associations engaged in fur- therance of this excellent institution. From its com- mencement to 1820, 254,048 Bibles and Testaments have been circulated by the Society. Their funds arise from subscriptions, donations, and congregational col- lections, and a general meeting is held annually in Dublin, at which the y>roceedings are of the most inte- resting nature. The office is at No. 10, Upper Sack- ville-street. The Dublin Naval and Military Bible Society .- — This Association was formed in 1819, as auxiliary to the London Naval and Military Bible Society, the ob- ject of which is to provide Bibles and Testaments for sailors and soldiers, and to extend the circulation of the holy Scriptures, without note or comment, in the army and navy. Since the formation of the Society many hundred Bibles and Testaments havs been issued. Of these the 92d regiment took 497 copies, the 50th 150, the 25tli 270, the 2d Rifle Brigade 110, and the 78th Highlanders 453. A subscription of 251 . 2s. Id. was given to the funds of the Society by the last men- tioned regiment. The parent Society is under the pa- tronage of the Duke of York, several other members of the Royal Family, and many distinguished naval and and made it spread with wonderful rapidity, till nearly the whole religious public of Great Britain became engaged in its support, and the whole world became the theatre of its operations. The expenditure of the year ending in May, 1820, was 123,847/. 125. Sd.] the total expenditure, in sixteen years, has been 628,687/. 175. ; by means of which more than 2,800,000 Bi- bles and Testaments have been issued ; and it has printed, or aided in printing the Scriptures in one hundred and thirty different lan- guages. In aid of this most excellent Institution, which is pa- tronized by many of the Royal Family, as well as some of the most distinguished characters in Great Britain and Ireland, Socie- ties have been formed in almost every part of the British empire. Bible Societies have also been formed in Russia, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Prussia, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland, Malta, the Mediterranean, Athens, India, and throughout the American Con* tiaent. Q 3 234 PICTURE OF DUBLIN'. military officers, and has distributed since its formation more than 140,000 copies of the Scriptures. The of* lice is at No. 15, Upper Saekville-street. Religious Tract and Book Society . — This Society has been instituted for the purpose of diffusing religious tracts and books throughout Ireland, and thereby com- pleting, as it were, the system of religious instruction which has been pursued in this country for the last few years with such remarkable success. To give to the lower orders a taste for reading, with- out providing them at the same time with proper sub- jects, would be to do harm, perhaps, rather than good. The pernicious publications which have hitherto almost exclusively commanded the attention of the poor, and which can tend only to encourage an idle, dissolute spirit, and corrupt the mind, will thus meet the most effectual antidote for the poison they have so long in- stilled, By putting into the hands of so many thou- sands, books of religious and moral instruction, which may edify while they amuse the reader, no small be- nefit will be conferred upon the population of this coun- try. In this point of view the Religious Tract and Book Society is entitled to a high rank among the na- tional institutions of Ireland. The depository of the Society is at No. 12, Lower Saekville-street, which, it is expected, will be adequate to the supply of the whole country with religious tracts and books at a reasonable rate. A lending li- brary is also attached to it. A principal object of the Society is to encourage similar establishments in every town, village, and populous district throughout Ireland. Such an Institution, if followed up with spirit and perse- verance, must furnish the people, at a small expense, with a continj ed succession of interesting aud instruc- tive reading, and, we trust, will ultimately produce effects the roost beneficial to the country. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 235 The Hibernian Church Missionary Society held its first meeting at the Rotunda in 1814, as auxiliary to the Church Missionary Society for missions to Africa and the East. The accounts contained in the Report of this Society for 1820 are of the most encouraging na- ture. The mission to Egypt, Syria, Abyssinia, and amongst the Turks and Greeks, to whom the Bible has been sent in their native languages, promises the hap- piest results. In Africa much has been already ef- fected, particularly at Sierra Leone, where many hun- dred Negroes have been brought to the knowledge of Christianity, and three thousand children and adults receive daily instruction. Some native teachers have already sprung up amongst these people. On the con- tinent of India a missionary college has been estab- lished at Calcutta; and throughout that immense tract many thousands now enjoy the advantages of education and of religious instruction ; and, to use the words of the report, “ the school-houses become so many little chapels, where the name of the Saviour is proclaimed, and his gospel preached.” Four Missionaries have been sent to Ceylon, where an extensive field presents itself. A pleasing prospect also appears in New Zea- land, where the Missionaries hope, with the divine blessing, to Christianize and civilize the natives, by schools, by example, and by introducing the useful arts. In the West Indies, also, many schools have been established for instructing the Negro slaves, which are beginning to be encouraged even by the proprietors of Negroes. The contributions to the Church Missionary Society amounted, during the year 1820, to near •33,000/. above 2,500/. of which was forwarded by the Irish branch. The office of the Society is at No. 16, Upper Sackville-street. Hibernian Missionary Society , ( auxiliary to the London Missionary Society ). — The object of this As- sociation (formed of persons of various religious deno - / 236 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. minations) is declared to be, to send the Gospel to the Heathen, unconnected with any particular form of church government. The Society commenced in 1794, and have succeeded in establishing Missions in the islands of the South Pacific Ocean, China, the East Indies, Java, Amboyna, Malacca, in several of the West India Islands, the Cape of Good Hope, Malta, Canada, Newfoundland, and amidst the snows of Si- beria. In most of these places the exertions of the Missionaries have been crowned with eminent success, particularly in the islands of the Southern Ocean. All the inhabitants of Otaheite, and nine other islands, have embraced Christianity ; near 6000 persons have learned to read, the crimes to which they were formerly addicted are scarcely ever heard of, and, to use the words of the report for 1820, “ perhaps history does not record so extraordinary and general an attention to Christianity, by a whole people, at any period, in any part of the world.” The office of the Society is at No. 15, Upper Sack vill e-street. Irish Auxiliary to the London Society for 'promoting Christianity among the Jews . — This Society, formed some years back, was happily revived in 1810, and continues to proceed with considerable success. Through the blessing of God on the exertions of the parent Society in London, above one hundred adult Jews have been led to renounce the errors of Judaism and embrace Christianity; and above two hundred children, rescued from vice and want, have found in its schools a comfortable asylum, and been trained up in the knowledge of the Christian religion, and habits of industry. More than eighty children are now enjoying the same advantages. But the. success hitherto expe- rienced by the Society is considered only as a pledge of the good that may be reasonably expected from their exertions ; and the appearances on the continent of Eu- rope, particularly in Poland, and some parts of the PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 237 Russian empire, where great numbers of J ews reside, are truly encouraging. In 1807, the Rev. Lewis Way, with some other pious clergymen of the Established Church, visited the Continent, for the purpose of ascer- taining the real state of the Jews with regard to reli- gion, and the result of their observations has been, that the state of the Jews on the Continent affords an en- couraging prospect, which ought to stimulate Chris- tians in their efforts for their conversion. Many Jews have been lately baptized in Poland and Russia ; and the Emperor Alexander, to save the converts from the dreadful persecution of their brethren, has allotted a considerable portion of territory, to be colonized by Christian Israelites. Some converted Jews have been sent out as Missionaries to their brethren on the Continent, and two editions of the New Testament, in Biblical Hebrew, have been printed, with innumerable tracts, which are received with avidity by this interesting people. The office of the Society is at No. 16, Upper Sac'kville street. Hibernian Missionary Society for Tartary and Cir- cassia . — Several years back a few philanthropic indivi- duals in Scotland formed a Society for sending Mis- sionaries to these uncultivated, and almost unknown re- gions. One of their first converts was the Sultan Katte-Ghery Krim-Ghery, whose family were, at no remote period, Khans of the Crimea. He had no sooner embraced Christianity than he became exposed to the persecutions of his relations, which compelled him to accept a commission in the Russian service , and in the course of his various travels in this capacity, he endeavoured to recommend the gospel to all around him. The conversion of his countrymen was still, however, his supreme desire ; and to bring into effect his plan for this purpose, he, in 1816, presented a me- morial to the Emperor Alexander, who graciously pro- mised him his countenance, and authorized him to visit Britain, to obtain such additional education as might 238 PICTURE OP DUBLIN^ qualify him for this important undertaking, giving him an ample allowance for his maintenance. He spent some time in Edinburgh and London, after which he studied with diligence and success at Old Homerton College. In the summer of 1819 the Sultan visited the Irish metropolis, and advocated, before a numerous and highly respectable auditory, the cause in which he felt so deeply interested. A Society in aid of his benevolent design was immediately formed, the object of which is to co-operate with the Scotch Mis- sionary Society, in sending the gospel to the rich and luxurious tracts of Tartary and Circassia, as well as the extensive and dreary regions. of the Caucasus. The instruction of children and the ransoming of slaves, are leading features in this plan, the whole of which has the unequivocal approbation of the Russian Emperor, and his Minister, Prince Gallitzin. The office of this Society is at No. 15, Upper Sackville-street. Methodist Missionary Society . — -The Missionary .exertions of the Methodists commenced many years back, and have been crowned with extraordinary suc- cess. Through their instrumentality many thousands of the Heathen have been brought to a knowledge of Christianity, and they have at present above 100 Mis- sionaries employed in British America, the West India islands, Africa, the Continent of India, Ceylon, France, &c. A Society was formed by the Method- ists in Dublin, in 1815, in aid of the Society in Eng- land, who meet annually at the Methodist cjhapel, Whitefriar-street. Some of the preachers in Ireland travel as Missionaries, and preach in the Irish language in streets, fields, and market-places. CHARITABLE ASSOCIATIONS. Many societies have been formed from time to time by benevolent individuals, for meeting the wants of the PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 239 necessitous in whatever shape they may present them- selves. Of these we shall take a short review accord- ing to the priority of their establishment. Ouzel Galley . — The singular denomination of this Society originated in the case of a ship of that name, lying in the port of Dublin in 1700, which occa. sioned much legal controversy. It was at length de- cided by an arbitration of merchants, which gave such general satisfaction, that a Society was founded for determining commercial differences. Its members con- sist of a Captain, Lieutenant, and crew, who are generally the most respectable merchants in Dublin. — The costs decreed against the parties who submit to their arbitration, are always devoted to charitable purposes. Musical Fund . — Various efforts were made during the last century to encourage a taste for music in the Irish capital. In 1741, the Music-hall in Fishamble- street was built, and in 1758 the Musical Academy was founded through the influence of Lord Morning- ton ; and amateurs of the first rank in society were found devoting their talents in this way to useful and charitable purposes. Though the taste for these amuse- ments has, of late years, considerably declined, yet we are happy to find, that the charitable institution which originated in them is still continued. It was es- tablished in 1787 by the exertions of Mr. B. Cooke, of the Smock-alley theatre, for the relief of decayed musicians. All members, on admission, pay from two to ten guineas according to their age, and at least twelve shillings annually ; any person who has been a sub- scriber three years, or his family, may receive an allow- ance not exceeding one guinea per week, out of the fund, which is aided by an occasional concert. 240 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. The Literary Teachers Society was instituted in 1789, and incorporated by Act of Parliament for the relief of reduced Literary Teachers and their families. There are proper officers and a Committee for conducting the affairs of the Society, and pecuniary aid is afforded from its funds to reduced teachers and their families, who had formerly belonged to the Society. Charitable Society for the relief of Sick and Indi- gent Room-keeper s.— The Society for the relief of sick and indigent room-keepers of every religious denomina- tion was established in 1790, by a few benevolent indi- viduals, whose exertions were, at first, from the pau- city of their means, confined to a very limited district. The institution now embraces the whole of the city, which is formed into four divisions, namely, Barrack, Work-house, Stephen's-green, and Rotunda. The visitors now amount to about 1200 persons of every re- ligious denomination, and the institution is aided by charity sermons in churches, chapels, and meeting- houses. Near 50,000/. have been expended, and above 400,000 individuals relieved, under circum- stances of extreme distress, since the period of its esta- blishment. The Stranger's Friend Society was also insti- tuted in 1790, through the instrumentality of Doctor Adam Clarke, and other members of the Methodist Society. Though the visitors are exclusively Method- ists, yet they extend relief indiscriminately to indivi- duals of every religious persuasion. The division which has lately taken place in the Methodist body, has also led to the formation of the Stranger s Friend Society into two distinct establishments, one of which meets at 62, South Great George’s-street, and the other at the Methodist chapel, Whitefriar-street. The Charitable Loan was incorporated in 1780, PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 241 having been founded by the Musical Society. From two to five pounds are lent out to poor tradesmen, inte- rest free, which is repaid weekly at six pence per pound: About five thousand persons have been re- lieved in this way since the commencement of the institution. Meath Loan .- — This excellent charity owes itsori- gin to the benevolent exertions of the late Rev. Mr. Whitelaw, in 1808, and it has had the happy effect, by judicious management, of raising many distressed journeymen weavers to the rank of masters, and has frequently saved an honest and industrious man from impending ruin by the timely aid it has afforded him. The sums lent are from 51. to 20/. The Goldsmiths Jubilee was instituted in 1809, at the celebration of the anniversary of the 50th year of his late Majesty’s reign. A certain number of aged and indigent persons of the trade are supported in a house at Rathfarnham by subscriptions of the mem- - bers of the Goldsmiths company, occasional fines, &c. The Debtors Friend Society was established in 1813, for the purpose of compromising small debts for which deserving persons may be confined. No debt is discharged which has been contracted for spi- rituous liquors. Seventy persons have been liberated in one year by this Society. Association for the Suppression of Mendicity in Dublin . — This Society was formed on the 26th of Ja- nuary, 1818, during the general prevalence of famine and of fever ; and, after contending for some time with, the most appalling difficulties, its value has so risen in public opinion as to afford the surest pledge of its per- manence and stability. The paupers are .divided into 242 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. seven classes ; 1st, Those who are able to work at pro- ductive employments, such as spinners, knitters, straw- plaiters, and rug-makers, to whom wages are paid for work done, at its full value, as rated by the Committee. 2dly, Paupers who are able and willing to work, but whose earnings are not adequate to their support, as street-sweepers, pickers of oakum, clothes-menders, <&c. these are paid wages also, but at a medium low rate. 3rdly, Such as are unable to perform full work, who receive barely sufficient to support life. 4thly, The infirm, who are fed, lodged, and clothed. 5thly, Children over six years, who are educated and instruct- ed in useful employments. To these one meal a day is given, with a portion of their earnings. Gthly, Chil- dren under six years, who are fed and taken care of whilst the parents are earning their bread ; and, 7thly, The sick and maimed, who are sent to appropriate hos- pitals, or receive medical attendance at their own ha- bitations. For some time the Association occupied the premises belonging to the Dublin Society, in Haw- kins's-street, but they have now removed to an exten- sive concern in Copper Alley, at the rere of Castle- street, and have also taken a large house in Fleet-street, where they have established school and work-rooms for the children. Of the children employed in straw-plait- ing, forty-two have been taken into the employment of different shop-keepers, and twenty-four have gone into service. Twenty-four children employed in the spin- ning-school, have been provided for elsewhere, and are now in a fair way of bettering their condition. The lace-school is in a very flourishing state, and nearly all the children have been enabled to clothe themselves during the winter, by depositing their earnings in a savings bank. The adults, who are able to work, are employed in the manufacture of woollen nets and hair quilts, making up clothes for the poor, picking oakum, pulverizing oyster-shells, spinning flax and tow, &c. &c. The disbursements for the year 1819, amount- PICTURE OF DUBLIN'. 243 ed to near 10,000/. whereas the expenditure of the last did not exceed 5182/. (including the va- rious expenses incurred by the removal to Copper-al- ley) which is the strongest proof that can be given of the efficacy of the plan, and the energy with which it has been followed up. The number of poor under the care of the Institution on the 2d of April, 1819, was 2096,. now it is reduced to 961 ; the remainder have left the city, returned to habits of industry, or, if they beg, it is by stealth. We cannot conclude this import- ant article without stating, in the words of the last ex- cellent report, the benefits that have already resulted from the establishment of this Association : “ It has greatly abated the nuisance of street-beg- ging ; and, if it has not succeeded in removing mendi- cants altogether from the streets — its want of perfect success has been owing to causes over which the Asso- ciation can exercise no control, viz. to the continued and too general practice of public almsgiving, and t<# a deficiency in the powers of the Police to punish sturdy and idle vagrants, enticed into the streets by such practice. “ It has introduced to habits of industry and morali- ty, and restored to society cts suund members, thou- sands who, but for this Association, had continued to infest the community as mendicants, or as worse cha- racters ; and it has protected your children, your wives, and your daughters, from the impertinent importunities, and depraved discourses of the sturdy and determined beggar. “ It has educated and initiated into useful employ- ments hundreds of destitute children, who, but for this Association, had been sunk into the gulph of idleness and bad example ; and who would have increased the number of crimes, and have added to the too numerous class of juvenile delinquents. It has also, by furnishing employment to the destitute female poor, greatly les- 244 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. sened the list of females on trial for criminal offences? in the city of Dublin. “ It rendered very important service to the commu- nity, during the late prevalence of sickness, by remov- ing a mass of misery from the streets, and thereby cut- ting off a principal means of communicating infection ; and must, in any future emergency of a similar kind, exert still more beneficial and extensive influence. “ It has supplied not only the bodily but the spiri- tual wants of those who had seldom heard the name of their God, unless joined with imprecations ; the pau- pers attend public worship within the walls of your Institution, and Sunday Schools are also there main- tained, where adults as well as children receive religi- ous instruction from competent persons of their own persuasions. “ It has, in the history of the last two winters, fur- nished a convincing proof of the sound and extensive relief that may, by judicious, yet moderate means, be supplied to the numerous poor of a large city, through the medium of an Association conducted on such prin- ciples as yours. During these winters, one of which was unusually severe, the voice, save of feigned distress, was not heard in your streets ; while in London such distress prevailed during the same period, that immense sums, exclusive of poors* rates, were raised by voluntary subscription for the relief of their houseless and destitute poor ; and yet it would appear from the report of the London Society that their first measures added to, in- stead of diminishing the claimants for relief. “ It has proved the practicability and advantages of this mode of suppressing mendicity in any district, however large ; and must therefore eventually lead to the establishment of similar institutions in Ireland, and perhaps in other parts of the British Empire/* The Association is under the patronage of the Lord Lieutenant, and its officers are, a President, who is the PICTURE OF DUBLIN- 245 Lord Mayor, twelve Vice-presidents, a Treasurer, Se- cretary, and a Managing Committee of sixty. Association for the Improvement of Prisons and Prison Discipline. — This Society was formed in 1818, under the patronage of Mr. Secretary Grant. The Committee meets every week at No. 16, Upper Sack- ville-street, and much benefit has already resulted from their exertions. The prison committee of Ladies have made great and successful exertions in bettering the condition of female prisoners, and instructing them in the principles of religion and morality. But little permanent good can be expected from their humane efforts, unless some House of Refuge be opened for the reception of such wretched females as evince, on their removal from prison, a total change of mind and conduct. To effect this great desideratum, an affect- ing appeal, signed by the benevolent Ladies of the Committee, has been lately laid before the public, which contains the lamentable fact that two wretched creatures did actually drown themselves a few days after they were discharged from prison. The cause assigned is too obvious — no person will employ them, and they have no resource but to return to their former evil practices, or commit suicide. An institution has been established amongst the Roman Catholics in St. James’s parish, called the Prisoners Friend Society, the object of which is to provide prayer-books, catechisms, and moral and re- ligious tracts for prisoners confined in Kilmainham gaol. INSTITUTIONS FOR EDUCATING THE POOR. Incorporated Society . — In the year 1730, King George II. granted his royal charter for incorporating 246 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. a society for the purpose of instructing the children of the poor in Ireland in the English language, and a knowledge of the Christian religion. A subscription was immediately raised both in G reat Britain and Ire- land, which amounted to a considerable sum, and several corporations in Ireland, and gentlemen of landed property, made advantageous leases of ground to the Society, for the purpose of erecting charter- schools thereon. There are above thirty of these schools in Ireland, into which both Protestants and Roman Catholics are admitted, but if the parent or nearest relative be of the latter persuasion, he must give his consent in writing, before a witness, that the child shall be educated in the doctrines and principles of the Protestant religion. Great care is taken in the selec- tion of masters and mistresses for these schools, and the general health, cleanliness, and good conduct of the children, evince the care that is taken of their lodging, diet, and education. The catechist, who is generally the curate of the parish, is bound to visit the school once a week to examine the children in their learning, and in the principles of Christianity, parti- cularly their acquaintance with the Holy Scriptures. — A portion of land is attached to each school, in which the children are trained to early habits of industry, and at a juoper age they are apprenticed to Protestant masters or mistresses. The general business of the Society is managed by a committee of fifteen, chosen annually by ballot. Each school is under the superin- tendance of a local committee, who meet quarterly to examine the master’s accounts, and are expected to pay frequent visits. The number of children under the care of the Incorporated Society does not amount to 2,000. Five of these schools, containing 228 boys and 197 girls, are situated in the city or vicinity of Dublin. , Erasmus Smith's Schools . — The Commissioners for executing the Act of Settlement having adjudged cer- tain lands, sequestered during the rebellion of 1641, to PICTURE OP DUBLIN 247 be tlie property of Erasmus Smith, Esq. by whom they were appropriated to the maintenance of gram- mar schools, and other charitable uses, a charter of King Charles II. appointed thirty-two Governors to those schools, and formed them into a body corporate, and established a variety of regulations by which they were to be conducted. Three grammar schools were immediately established in Drogheda, Galway, and Tipperary. The lands having greatly increased in value, an act was passed in the reign of George I. for the further application of the rents and profits of them, which confirmed the proceedings of the Governors in founding thirty-five exhibitions for poor students in Trinity College. It ordained the establishment of three new fellowships, and two public lectures in said College, and empowered the governors to erect certain new buildings therein, and the governors ’were permit- ted to place twenty boys in the Blue-coat Hospital, in consequence of their having given to that Hospital 300/. to build an infirmary. The Governors have since been enabled, by the successive rise of the lands, to found a fourth grammar school at Ennis, to establish English schools at Nenagh, Tarbert, Templederry, on the Coombe, and in St. Mark's parish, in Dublin, and to add twenty to the number of boys maintained by them in the Blue-coat Hospital. They have also endowed two new professorships in Trinity College, and increased the salaries of the others. The net income of the estate was, in 1817, above 8,000/. a-year. Blue-coat Hospital . — This useful establishment was founded by the Corporation of Dublin in 1670, and by the original plan was designed for the reception of aged and infirm reduced citizens of Dublin and their chil- dren, and also for the education of the latter. But being unable to accomplish this object of extensive be- nevolence, they were obliged to contract their plan* 248 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. and confine the charity to the sons and grandsons of decayed citizens. King Charles II. granted a Charter to the Corporation to this effect, empowering them to purchase lands, and to make laws and statutes for the government of the establishment. The original struc- ture was situated in Queen-street, being 170 feet in length by 300 in depth. The parliament frequently sat in this house. Becoming decayed, it was deter- mined to rebuild it on its present site at a small dis- tance from the former, and the first stone was laid on the 16th of June, 1773, by Earl Harcourt, Lord Lieutenant. The building consists of a centre and two wings. The front of the centre is enriched by Ionic columns supporting a pediment. This part of the building contains apartments for the principal officers, a committee-room, record-room, and board-room. — The north-wing is the chapel, 65 feet by 32, which is extremely handsome, and over the communion table is a good painting of the Resurrection by Waldron. — The south wing contains a spacious school-room of the same dimensions as the chapel, in which were formerly an emblematical picture of the delivery of the charter, and portraits of King William III. Queen Mary, Queen Anne, George II. and Queen Caroline, Gene- ral Ginclde, Dean Drelincourt, &c. The dining-hall is spacious and commodious, and the dormitories sufficiently extensive, and well ventilated. They contain beds for 120 boys, who are well clothed, dieted, and educated, and at a suitable age, appren- ticed to Protestant masters. The Corporation of Mer- chants support a mathematical school in the hospital, in which boys intended for the sea-service are instruct- ed in navigation. The children attend Divine service every day, and their progress in religious knowledge, as well as the other branches of learning is highly creditable to the institution. Of the 120 boys in the hospital, 58 are appointed by the Corporation, 50 by the Governors of Erasmus Smith's schools, (seven of PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 249 whom are at the expense of the treasurer, Chief Jus- tice Downes,) 10 by the Bishop of Meath, and 2 by the Minister of St. Werburgh’s parish. Above 21,000/. have been expended on this building, though not yet completed. The annual income is about 47000 /. per annum. The Foundling Hospital is situated at the west end of James’s-street, the first stone having been laid in 1704, by Mary, Duchess of Ormond. For several years it afforded an asylum to lunatics, common beg- gars, and poor children of every description. But the founding other hospitals for the indigent and diseased, having rendered this part of the establishment unneces- sary, it became wholly confined to the foundling de- partment. In this hospital the infant has a comforta- ble asylum from the earliest period of its existence till it is fitted by education to go abroad into the world. — There are two schools, one for females, and another for males, conducted on the system of Dr. Bell, in which the numbers vary according to the state of the house. The mode of instruction is excellent, and to rear the children to habits of industry is a principal ob- ject of the institution. Besides instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic, a knowledge of the Scriptures, and the principles of the Protestant religion, the girls are taught plain work, spinning, knitting, and to make their own clothes, and the boys are employed every day at different trades, as weavers, scribblers, taylors, carpenters, shoemakers, and gardeners. At the public examinations the children generally acquit themselves in a way highly creditable to the conduc- tors of the institution. The front of the hospital to James’s-street extends nearly 400 feet, having a large area, in which the boys frequently parade and exercise, while the girls have a similar area in the interior. The dining-hall is 120 feet by 40, and neatly decorated. Over the eastern fire-place is a portrait of Primate 250 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. Boulter, who fed tlie poor of Dublin in this hall dur- ing a period of famine in 1727-8. [t is furnished with 40 tables, capable of accommodating 1,200 children. It is a scene calculated to inspire the breast with emotions of the purest delight, to see such a number of children, who had been snatched from death, or what would be still worse, a life of infamy, enter the hall at the hour of dinner, in regular order, under the conduct of their respective masters and mis- tresses, and after having partaken, with evident satis- faction, of their comfortable meal, and sung a hymn, return to their several avocations in the same regular order. In the centre of the building is the chapel, lately finished by Mr. Francis Johnstone. It is 70 feet long, and very handsomely fitted up. The in- firmary, which is completely insulated and well venti- lated, contains 144 single beds, and on the ground- floor are a receiving-room and medicine-room, with apartments for the housekeeper and apothecary. — About 180 boys and girls are employed in a manufac- tory of camblets, flannels, baize, and livery-cloths, for whom a sixth of their earnings is reserved. Several hundred boys are apprenticed annually. The Gover- nesses pay great attention to the infant department, and the great mortality which formerly prevailed, through the negligence of the women to whom the in- fants were entrusted, has been greatly diminished. Every out-nurse is paid once a year, but she cannot receive her wages without producing the child commit- ted to her care.* The number of children on the esta- blishment is generally from six to seven thousand, * A great majority of the children were formerly abandoned as hopelessly afflicted with the venereal disease. It is a singular fact that of 10,272 children sent to the infant infirmary in 21 years, finding in 1796, no less than 10,201 were stated as venereal. It is highly creditable to the morals of our countrymen, that not one child in thirty is now infected with this horrible disease. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 2 51 about one thousand of whom are in the hospital, and the expense between 30,0001. and 40,0001. per annum, which is defrayed by parliamentary grants, and a tax on all houses in Dublin. Hibernian Society s School for Soldier $ Children . — In the year 1796 his late Majesty granted letters pa- tent to the Lord Primate, the Archbishop of Dublin, the Lord Chancellor, and several other noblemen and gentlemen, incorporating them by the name of the Hi- bernian Society in Dublin, for maintaining, educating, and apprenticing, the Orphans and Children of Sol- diers in Ireland ; and by a new charter granted in 1808, they are empowered to place such children in his Ma- jesty's regular army, as private soldiers, with their own consent. The Hibernian School Is situated in the Phoenix Park, about three miles from the Castle of Dublin. It was first opened in 1707 during the admi- nistration of Lord Townshend, and, with the additional buildings since erected, is capable of containing near 600 children : 426 boys and 161 girls are now in the school. The front consists of a centre and two wings, 300 feet in length, and three stories high. The centre contains the boys' school and dormitories ; the eastern wing commodi- ous apartments for the commandant, adjutant, and chap- lain ; and in the western the females are accommo- dated. There is a fine area, in front of the school, near 400 feet long, by about 200 in breadth, in which the boys play, and perform military evolutions. The dining-hall and school-room, which are extremely spa- cious, communicate by two long covered galleries, in which the boys can play or parade in wet weather ; and the dormitories are spacious, neat, and well venti- lated. Contiguous to the central building the head usher, (who is called Serjeant-major) and the assistant ushers, have convenient apartments. There are also extensive work-rooms for the children, who are in- structed in tayloring and shoemaking. The female 252 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. part of the establishment is equally well arranged. The chapel, where the Lord Lieutenant’s family generally attend during their residence in the park, is neat and convenient. A farm of nineteen acres is attached to the school, which is cultivated by the boys, with the assistance of a gardener and two or three labourers. They are kept alternately at labour and instruction ; the latter being administered in the most judicious manner by the chap- lain, who has the government of the school, and who frequently lectures on the Holy Scriptures. The fe- males are taught every thing necessary for their sex and condition. At fourteen the males are apprenticed, generally, to handicraft trades, and the females to mantua-makers, milliners, ribbon- weavers, glovers, &c. The children admissible to this school must be be- tween the age of seven and twelve. A preference is given to orphans, or those whose fathers have been killed, or died on foreign service. The annual ave- rage expense of each child is above fourteen pounds, and the establishment is supported by Parliamentary grants and casual donations. Health and vigour parti- cularly mark the children of this school, which is, no doubt, in a great measure, attributable to the salubrity of its situation, and the active exercises in which they are frequently engaged. To give them a taste for a military life, the classes are called companies, and the boys are encouraged in running, leaping, and other feats of agility. Hibernian Marine School . — Soon after the establish- ment of the Military School, a charter was granted for instituting a society for maintaining, educating, and ap- prenticing the orphans and children of decayed seamen, in the royal navy and merchants’ service. A lot of ground was taken on Sir John Rogerson’s quay, and in 1777 this building was opened for the reception of PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 253 the children, the expense having amounted to 6,600/. The centre and two wings, of which the edifice con- sists, extend above 130 feet in front. It contains all the necessary apartments for such an establish- ment. The wings contain the chapel and school- room, each 51 feet by 26. The boys are rarely ad- mitted under the age of nine years. They are imme- diately clothed in naval uniform, and their course of instruction commences in reading, writing, arithmetic, navigation, and the principles of the Christian religion. At a proper age they are placed in the royal navy, or apprenticed to masters of merchant vessels, who take them without any fee. The number of boys on the es- tablishment is one hundred and eighty, and the funds arise from casual benefactions and Parliamentary grants. Bedford Asylum for Industrious Children. — This excellent institution commenced under the administra- tion of the Duke of Bedford. The edifice is situated in Brunswick-street, forming three sides of a square, built in a neat substantial style, and contains in apart- ments, completely separate, 386 children of both sexes. The children are admitted indiscriminately, instructed in the religion they profess, and immediately discharged on the application of their parents. Be- sides reading and writing, they are taught weaving, tayloring, shoe-making, carpenters work, bobbin and twist winding, hosiery, plain- work, embroidery, and tambour. The instructors in these branches receive no salaries, but, in lieu thereof, are allowed a part of the produce of the labour. The children also receive a part, as rewards for good conduct. National Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. — The success which had attended similar establishments in France, and other parts of the Continent of Europe, as well as in England and Scotland, induced Doctor 254 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. Charles Orpen, about five years back, to make an ef- fort to excite the public interest in behalf of this un- liappy class of human beings in his own country. He commenced his benevolent task by undertaking the education of a deaf and dumb orphan, named Thomas Collins, at his own house, and in a few months he was enabled to exhibit the attainments of his pupil to a numerous auditory at the Rotunda, to whom he also delivered a course of lectures on the subject. By this means the public interest was excited, subscriptions obtained, and the plan of a school quickly organized, of which Earl Whitworth, the Lord Lieutenant, became the patron ; and Doctor Orpen kindly gave his gra- tuitous services, for some time, as the instructor and superintendent. The establishment} (owing to the scantiness of its funds) was at first confined to the education and support of sixteen boys, who were accommodated in the Peni- tentiary, Smithfield ; but, a brighter prospect dawning on the benevolent efforts of the friends to this Institu- tion, they were enabled, in 1819, to remove it to Clare- mont, near Glasnevin, rather more than two miles from the city, which they took at the annual rent of 220/ 10s. 9d. and a fine of a thousand pounds. The house is beautifully situated, in the midst of 1.8J acres of meadow and garden, and may be rendered capable, if the funds increase, of accommodating from J20 to 150 pupils, while, at the same time, the boys and girls may inhabit distinct buildings, and have separate play grounds. The house now contains 29 boys and 10 girls, whose happy countenances and interesting man- ners, bespeak the mighty change effected upon them in the short space of a few years, by that moral culture of which they were heretofore considered incapable. Mr. Joseph Humphreys, the highly intelligent and able master of this seminary, had, previous to under- taking this important task, visited the most celebrated schools for the Deaf and Dumb in England and Scot- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 255 land. His mode of education partakes of both the English and French systems. In the former few signs are used, whereas the latter is overloaded with them. It has, therefore, been considered advantageous to unite the two systems in some degree, and further im- provements are contemplated. The results have proved the utility of this plan of operation. Consider- ing the shout period that has elapsed since the forma- tion of the institution, the progress of the children in learning, and useful and religious knowledge, is highly calculated to delight and astonish all who examine them.* They "can all execute the language of the fingers with much skill and surprising rapi- * To prove the very high intellectual attainment to which per- sons of this unfortunate class may arrive, we beg to quote the fol- lowing anecdote from the first Report of the Institution : “ Massieu, a pupil of the Abbe Sicard, was born a peasant in the neighbourhood of Bourdeaux. His youth bad been spent entirely in tbe mechanical employment of tending a flock, without any at- tempt having been made to cultivate his reason. At tbe age of six- teen, when the Abbe took him into his school, he was strictly ‘a man of the woods/ untinctured with any habits but such as were merely animal. Astonished and terrified with every thing, his clouded and inexpressive countenance, his doubtful and shifting eye, his silly and suspicious air, all seemed to announce that Massieu was incapable of instruction. But it was not long till he began to inspire his teacher with the most flattering hopes. — After he had made a certain progress in the cultivation of language, (which was taught him in the figurative manner adapted to his apprehension) the Abbe required of him one day a definition of Time. It is a line, he replied, which has two ends ; a path i chick begins at the cradle and terminates in the grave. To the question, What is Eter- nity? he replied, It is a day without yesterday or to-morrow ; a line which has no aid. The Abbe enquired of him, What is revo- lution in a state ? He answered, It is a tree , whose roots usurp the place of its trunk. What do you understand by gratitude ? resumed the Abbe, Gratitude, said his pupil, is the memory of the heart. When the existence and attributes of God were disclosed to Massieu, he cried, with an enthusiasm which would have done honour to the genius and piety of Newton, Ah! let me go to my father , to my mother , to my brothers , to tell them that there is a God ; they know it not . — That he afterwards acquired very just notions of the Governor of the IJniverse, may be proved by his answer to tha 256 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. dity ; and may of them have acquired the power of ex- pressing articulate sounds in a manner perfectly intelli- ligible to the auditors. It is intended that the time of the pupils shall be nearly equally divided between study and labour, abundance of which is afforded by the rural situation of the school. The girls have already begun to learn va- rious branches of domestic business. A correspond- ence has been opened with the various institutions for the Deaf and Dumb in Great Britain, and on the Con- tinent, from which much useful information is expected. An auxiliary Society has been established in Cork, and it is hoped the example will be speedily followed in other places. Visitors are admissible every Wed- nesday, between the hours of ten and two in the after- noon. Mr. Humphreys has a separate establishment for the instruction of private pupils. Female Orphan House . — This Institution was com- menced in 1790, by Mrs, Edward Tighe and Mrs. Este, in a limited way, but it met such general pa- tronage, that in two years after, the amiable founders had the satisfaction to see an extensive building erected for the purpose on the North Circular-road. The si- tuation is extremely healthy, and in the rere is a large garden. The house is capable of containing 160 chil- dren, who must be destitute both of father and mother, and between the ages of five and ten at the time of ad- mission. Whatever may have been their former per- suasion, they are all educated in the principles of the established church, and taught reading, writing, nee- dle work, and every other requisite to qualify them for servants in different capacities. The annual expense question, proposed to him by Sir James Mackintosh ; Does God reason ? After some consideration, be replied ; Man reasons be- cause he doubts ; he deliberates , he decides ; God is omniscient , he knows all things ; he never doubts; he therefore never reasons PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 257 of education and maintenance is under 30001. a-year, and the funds arise from parliamentary grants, subscrip- tions and donations, and the produce of the childrens’ work. The Masonic Female Orphan School , which com- menced in 1790, is situated in Domville-lane, Prussia- streef. The number of children maintained and edu- cated here have varied from 12 to 20, and the charity is supported by a charity sermon, private subscriptions, and the fees paid by Freemasons on their initiation. The children are brought up in the religious tenets of the profession to which they belong. Pleasants s Asylum , Camden-street . — -This is another memorial of that benevolent man, the late Thomas Plea- sants, Esq. of whose beneficent acts we have had such frequent occasion to speak in the course of this work, it was opened in 1818 for the orphan daughters of re- duced citizens of the united parishes of St. Peter and St. Kevin. The number in the house at present is 21, who receive a most respectable education, and are pro- vided for in every particular. Reliefs School is situated in Drum con dra, at the northern extremity of the city, and was founded in 1811, on a bequest of 5,000/. left by Mr. A. Kellett, of Fordstown, county of Meath. The building, which is erected on Lancasters principles, cost 1740/. and above one thousand children have been admitted since the foundation. Sunday School Society for Ireland . — This Society was established in November, 1809. Its object, (as stated in the rules of the Society,) is to promote the establishment, and facilitate the conducting of Sunday Schools in Ireland, by disseminating the most approved plans for the management of such schools, by supply- 258 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. ing them with spelling books and copies of the sacred Scriptures, or extracts therefrom, without note or comment, (the only books which the Society dissemi- nates amongst the scholars ,) and that it shall not assume to itself any control over the internal regula- tions of the schools in connexion with it, nor use any other interference in their concerns than that of kind admonition and advice. It appears that previously to the establishment of this Society, the Sunday School system of instruction had made but little progress in Ireland — that its influence and assistance have tend- ed materially to promote the establishment of Sunday schools, may be judged from the fact stated in its 11th report, that of 1353 schools (the total number assisted by the Society up to April, 182 J ,) 1287 have been established since 1809, the date at which the Society commenced its operations. The number of schools to which the Society had afforded gratuitous aid up to April, 1821, w T as 1353, con- taining 135,600 scholars, of which 106 schools, con- taining 7,703 scholars, have either failed, or merged into other schools. Besides the schools which have received gratuitous aid from the Society, there are also about 50 schools, which have only required assis- tance from the Society in the way of purchasing books at reduced prices. Of the schools in connexion with the Society there are about 60, containing about 5,000 scholars, in the county and city of Dublin. The schools in connexion with it are distributed as follow : In Ulster, 924 In Munster, 47 Leinster, 213 Connaught, 62 The Society, since its formation, has granted, and sold to the schools, at reduced prices, 6,504 Bibles , 83,871 Testaments , 112 Scripture Extracts, 249, 877 Spelling Books, 77,820 Alphabets , 5,859 Freemans Card for Adults, 1,280 Hints for conducting Sunday PICTURE OP >UBlIN. 259 Schools, and the sum of 4221. 5s. has been expended in grants of money to the Schools. The benefits which have arisen from the efforts of this Society cannot be better described, than in the language of one of their Reports : — “ The Sabbath is no longer wasted, or profaned, as the day for idle sports and petty depredations, but becomingly appro- priated to its intended object, the a«quisition of reli- gious knowledge —Children trained up in principles of religion — Parents awakened or reclaimed by the les- sons and example of their offspring — the general ha bits, sentiments, and manners, of the poor, improved, refined, and civilized — industry excited ; economy, cleanliness, and domestic comforts of every kind pro- moted — the labours of Parochial Ministers abridged and lightened, and their flocks prepared to hear their exportations — laws respected and obeyed ; a people taught the only sure foundation of all duty, the only steadfast principle on which the authority of the Ma- gistrate, and the rights, the lives, and properties of in- dividuals, can with any security depend — these are amongst the obvious consequences of a general esta- blishment of Sunday Schools. Nor is this all, even teachers themselves, many moral and amiable young persons who have undertaken this office, have first learned to feel the genuine influence of religious truth, while thus labouring to impress upon their pupils the Scriptures which contain it. A bond of mutual affec- tion, too, has thus been formed, and an influence ac- quired — to last, perhaps, in after life, over the minds of the rising generation, by persons both disposed to exert it with advantage, and also more or less commit- ted and engaged to do so, in justice to their own past labours, and in consistency with the maxims they have taught. A general spirit of improvement has also been excited among all ranks. The rich have been brought acquainted with the wants, and actual circumstances 260 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. of their poorer neighbours, and induced to establish various other institutions for their relief.” The funds of the Society arise entirely from the vo- luntary contributions of the public. Their office is at No. 16, Upper Sackville street. Dublin Free School . — The Rev. Richard Powell, rector of Dundrum, (he being at that period curate of a parish in Dublin,) opened this school in 1786. For some years the females assembled in the parochial school-house of St. Catharine’s parish, and the boys in the Court-house of the Liberties. It was, however, deemed necessary to erect a school -house on a large scale, and this good work was accomplished in the year 1798, by the strenuous exertions of some benevolent characters, among whom Mr. Samuel Bewley, and many others of the society of Quakers, were particularly active. The building is situated in School-street, and is opened to the children of every religious denomination. The male and female schools, two for each, are per- fectly distinct, and they are so contrived that the su- perintend ant, by a small change of his position, can command an uninterrupted view of the whole. It is used both for a Sunday and Daily-school. The females, beside learning reading and writing, are em- ployed in useful works, and they receive the entire of their earnings in clothes made in the schools. Near 800 children are in daily attendance, and above 30,000 have been taught since the commencement of the School. Mr. Lancaster s system of education has been introduced for several years. Schools on similar principles are established on the North Strand, in the rere of the Linen-hall, in Yarn- hall-street, and in JamesVstreet, in which many thousand children have been educated at a compara- tively trifling expense. Society for promoting the Education of the Poor of PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 201 Ireland . — The Society was formed in 1811, under this designation, of which the late Duke of Kent became the patron. They declared their plan to be, the diffu- sion of a well ordered and economical system of edu- cation amongst the poor, perfectly distinct from any interference with their peculiar religious opinions ; and that the appointment of governors, teachers, or scholars, of schools aided by them, should be uninflu- enced by sectarian distinctions ; that all catechisms and books of religious controversy, should be excluded, and the Scriptures read in the Schools, without note or comment. The plan was approved of in various parts of Ireland, and in 1815, Parliament granted the sum of 6980/. to build a Model School in Kildare-street. A Society for the publication of books at low prices, formed about the same time, for circulating such useful, (though not professedly religious) books, as might super- sede the immoral works in general use, has been since united to the Society of which we are treating. The building in Kildare-street combines a depository for cheap books and stationary, and a Model School capa- ble of containing one thousand children. A number of Schools have been established throughout the country, under the patronage of the Society, and which are sup- plied with teachers instructed at the Model School. The number of Schools assisted by the Society since its commencement, has been 381, and the number of children, thus rescued from ignorance, 26,474. Parliamentary aid is granted to this Institution, and the Committee report their proceedings to a general meeting, held annually. The Irish Society was formed in 1819, for pro- moting the education of the native Irish, through the medium of their own language. To promote their moral amelioration, the Society distributed among them the Irish version of the Scriptures by Archbishop Daniel and Bishop Bedell, the Irish prayer-book 3 262 PICTURE OF DUBLIN* where acceptable, and such other works as may be ne- cessary for school-books, disclaiming, at the same time, all intention of making the Irish language a vehicle for the communication of general knowledge. The school- masters are instructed in the late improvements in edu- cation, and the schools formed on the circulating prin- ciple, found to be so beneficial in Wales and the Highlands of Scotland. We understand that a number of schools have been already established, and that the affairs of the Society are in the most flourishing con- dition. Hibernian Baptist Corresponding Society , — This Institution has three objects in view, namely, the dis- tribution of religious books, sending forth itinerant preachers, and establishing schools for teaching exclu- sively in the Irish language. To facilitate this lauda- ble design, a spelling-book, a primer, and a selection of iEsop’s Fables have been printed in the native tongue. The exertions of the Society have met with consi- derable success, particularly in the province of Con- naught. Juvenile Institution . — In the year 1811, a few young persons commenced a school in an obscure apart- ment underground in the neighbourhood of Upper Bag- got-street. Not more than sixteen children attended at first, but their number soon increased to 50. The youthful teachers observing that many children were prevented from coming by their extreme deficiency of clothing, they determined to associate themselves under the above designation, for the purpose of Taising a little fund to supply their necessitous pupils with such arti- cles of clothing as might be absolutely requisite. A treasurer and secretary were appointed, and the bene- volentplan proved so happily successful as not only to fulfil the original design, but enable them to afford some pecuniary aid to the children when sick or other- PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 263 wise distressed. A report of the proceedings of the institution was published in J812, which, considering the youth of the managers, excited much interest, and it has been continued annually to the present. By the aid of the public a commodious school-house, capable of containing 4 or 500 children, has been built in Hatch-street, where from 120 to 150 attend twice every Sunday. The Committee is composed of ladies only, by whom an annual distribution of clothing is made to the most deserving children, besides occasional benefactions to their families. They have besides afforded assistance to other schools. A work-school has also been established, where about 40 girls arc instructed twice a week by the young ladies, who also, during the summer season, hold an early school three times a week, at seven in the morning, for giving the female children more general instruction. Parochial Schools belonging to the Established Church. — Of these there are 18, containing 548 chil- dren, of whom 377 are clothed and dieted, 108 others are clothed only. For the number in each parish see synopsis at the end of the work. The schools belonging to Dissenters have been al- ready noticed. Roman Catholic Schools. — Every parish in Dublin abounds with Schools conducted by persons of the Roman Catholic persuasion. In this work of mercy, the Clergymen of the different Friaries, the Gentle- men of the Presentation Monastery, East Hanover- street, the Ladies of the various Nunneries, and the members of the Orphan Societies, are eminently con- spicuous. The number of Roman Catholic schools amounts to 58, viz; 29 daily, 4 evening, 6 Sunday, and 19 Orphan schools, containing 6,300 children of both sexes, of whom 1,650 are clothed, and 838 are dieted. There are, besides these, several schools. 264 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. whose number is unlimited. In most of these schools, the Lancasterian system of education is adopted.— They are entirely supported by private contributions and charity sermons. We shall give a synopsis of these schools, according to their parochial situation, at the end of the work. INSTITUTIONS FOR THE REFORMATION OF MANNERS. The benevolent, not contented with devising means for infusing right principles into the minds of the rising gene- ration, have founded many establishments for reclaiming those who have unhappily deviated from the path of rectitude, and results of the most consoling nature have already arisen from these godlike exertions. To feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and instruct the ig- norant, are works of mercy enjoined by every precept of our divine religion. But to reclaim the wandering prodigal, and bring back to the paths of virtue the un- happy prostitute, are acts which, in proportion to the difficulty, rise in the scale of moral excellence, and must be peculiarly acceptable to that gracious being, who rejoiceth over one sinner that repenteth. Magdalen Asylum , Leeson-street . — This was the first institution of the kind ever established in Ireland. It was founded by the pious and amiable Lady Arabella Denny, and opened on the 11th of June, 1766, for unfortunate females abandoned by their seducers, and rejected by their friends, who preferred a life of peni- tence and virtue to one of guilt, infamy, and ‘prostitu- tion. Lady Arabella procured the patronage of her late Majesty to the institution ; she also drew up a code of laws for its internal government ; and since her death, her benevolent plans have been actively followed up by the ladies who have been governesses of the in- stitution. The funds arise from subscriptions, an annual Charity Sermon, and the weekly receipts in the chapel, which contains 700 persons, and is usually PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 265 crowded to excess. The house is capable of receiving 60 penitents, and 48 have been accommodated at one time. Near 800 have been admitted since the com- mencement of the institution. No candidate is admis- sible after the age of twenty. The period of proba- tion is from two to three years, during which they are educated in every thing necessary to their present and eternal happiness. After this a reconciliation is ef- fected with their friends, or they are provided with the means of an honest livelihood, and as far as their fu- ture progress in life could be traced, those who have been dismissed, have generally given evidence of a complete reformation. During their residence in the Asylum, one-fourth of the produce of their labour is given to themselves, and the remainder in clothes or gratuities on their leaving the house. When the friends of those admitted are in comfortable circumstances, they are expected to contribute ten guineas per annum to their support. This institution is much indebted to the Latouche family. Lock Penitentiary . — Near forty years back, a cha« pel was erected on the east side of Dorset -street, at the private expense of William Smyth, Esq. nephew to the Archbishop of that name. He denominated it Be- thesda, from a well-known scriptural allusion, and appointed two clergymen of the establishment to offi- ciate according to the forms of the national church. — * He afterwards annexed an asylum for female orphans, in which 250 have been, from time to time, supported, clothed, and educated; and in 1794, the Rev. John Walker carried the views of the founder still further into effect by opening a penitentiary for the reception and employment of such women dismissed from the Lock- liospital, as wished to return again to the paths of in- dustry and virtue. Above 50 are generally in the asy- lum, where they are employed in washing, mangling, and plain work. Since the commencement of the 266 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. institution between 500 and 700 females have been in the house, numbers of whom have given the strongest proofs of a complete reformation, and many of them have returned to their families or been otherwise provided for. No place of worship in Dublin is better attended than Bethesda chapel, to which the solemnity of the service, the sweet voices of the females, and the excel- lent purposes for which the establishment was founded, all serve as powerful attractions. The female Orphan- school, attached to the chapel, contains thirty -six children. The Dublin Fe?nale Penitentiary . — About ten years back, the disposition manifested by a number of unfor- tunate females to abandon the paths of vice, induced some benevolent' ladies and gentlemen to make an ef- fort towards establishing this asylum, as in those al- ready formed there was not room for the admission of the numerous applicants who were willing to take refuge in them. The attempt was happily crowned with success, and a suitable house was speedily erected on the North Circular-road, into which 175 peni- tents have been admitted, of whom 4 6 remain in the house, 23 have been restored to their friends, 25 have been provided with suitable situations, 37 left the house voluntarily, and 6 have died, evidencing in their last moments that a real and effectual change had taken place in their hearts. The penitents are employed in washing, mangling, and needle- work in all its branches, together with mantua-making and millinery. A Repo- sitory has been opened at the house for the sale of fancy-work, baby linen, &c. in aid of the establish- ment. A neat chapel is now erecting for this 'Insti- tution. The above institutions are wholly Protestant, but our Roman Catholic brethren have not been deficient in exertions towards the attainment of the same lauda- ble object. The following instances will prove how PICTURE OF DUBLIN'. 267 much good may be effected by individuals, even in the humblest walk of life, when actuated by the spirit of that religion which teaches us to love one another. Female Penitents Asi/lum, 13, Bow-street . — On this establishment are supplied with food, clothing, and every other necessary, 34 women, who from vice and prostitution have been recalled to the paths of vir- tue and religion. This laudable institution owes its foundation to an humble individual, a Mr. John Dil- lon, then a clerk to Mr. Orr, of Bridge -street. This excellent young man, returning one evening from the Post-office, was accosted in Dame-street by an unfortu- nate young woman of the town, who solicited him to accompany her to a house of ill-fame. He entered, into a conversation with her on the infamy and evil consequences of the course of life she had adopted. — Her answers, and the manner in which she related the story of her seduction, convinced him that her present mode of life arose from necessity rather than from vicious inclination. He therefore determined to at- tempt her restoration to virtue, and for this purpose he procured for her a lodging, and supplied her with some necessaries. To enable him to support this expense, he applied to some well-disposed persons of his own per- suasion, (the Roman Catholic,) and to a clergyman, who cheerfully seconded his benevolent intentions. — The result exceeded his hope ; the woman was re- claimed, and the present establishment was formed. It may be gratifying to the reader to know that this virtuous man is now a merchant of great respectability at Buenos Ayres, in South America. Since its founda- tion, this institution has restored to virtue, and to their friends, several penitent females, who, by their indus- try, good behaviour, and religious course of life, have greatly contributed to the edification of others. The penitents are employed in needle-work, washing, mangling, &c. the produce of which, together with 2U8 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. subscriptions, and the collection made at an annual Charity Sermon, goes to support the establishment. General Asylum , Towns end-street. — This, like the former, owed its origin to the benevolent exertions of an humble mechanic. A poor, but pious Roman Ca- tholic weaver, in the Liberties, named Quarterman, succeeded, by the blessing of providence on his simple instructions, in reclaiming an unfortunate female from the path of infamy. Pie solicited and obtained the aid of a few other well disposed persons as indigent as himself, and thus established a small fund, which was the germ of the present institution. On this foundation there are, at present, 37 peni- tent females, who have been reclaimed from a course of prostitution and vice. They are supplied with meat, drink, and every other necessary article, and from the moment of their reception into the asylum the greatest pains are taken to strengthen them in their resolutions to abandon vice, and to confirm them in virtue. They are employed in needle-work, washing, and other use- ful labours, by which they gradually acquire indus- trious habits, which, when dismissed from the house, enables them to procure an honest livelihood for them- selves. The money produced by their work goes with the subscriptions, and the produce of a charity sermon annually preached, towards the support of the establish* ment. ASYLUMS FOR WIDOWS. Widows Alms-House , James's Parish . — This cha- rity, like some already mentioned, was founded by a person in one of the humblest walks of life, and the name of John Loggins must ever be held in veneration by all who are acquainted with his singular history. — He was a native of this parish, and for many years he PICTURE OP DUBLltf. 269 followed the occupation of a hackney coachman, at Bow-bridge. By persevering industry he became the proprietor of two coaches, and in the end acquired a property in houses to the value of 40/. per annum. — He, however, at one time, became so dreadfully ad- dicted to drunkenness, that he is known to have been carried in a basket on a porter’s back in a state of beastly intoxication. He made several attempts at reformation, but in vain ; until roused to a sense of his profligate conduct by a remarkable circumstance. In a state of stupid intoxication, he passed an entire night under the feet of one of his coach-horses, who, though an extremely vicious animal, never attempted to lie down, or injure him. This he justly considered a kind interposition of Divine providence in his behalf, and he determined on a complete reformation of his life. His horses were no longer permitted to travel on Sunday, and another providential deliverance which he met soon after, (the arch of Kilcullen-bridge having fallen down just as the coach which he was driving had crossed it,) induced him to relinquish for ever an occupation at- tended with peculiar temptations. The remnant of his days was consecrated to fervent piety and active virtue ; he generally attended at the daily prayers in Kilmain- ham-hospital, frequently went in the evenings to the Methodist meeting-house, and was a constant guest at the communion-table of St. Patrick’s cathedral, where the sacrament is administered every Sunday. Sincere piety towards God is always productive of benevolence to man. Limited as were his means, he now con- ceived the plan of establishing an asylum for poor wi- dows, and by the most rigid frugality and indefatigable exertions he had the happiness of seeing it carried into effect. With his own hands he fitted up his stable and hay-loft, to which he afterwards added several apart- ments in his own house, for this purpose, and with the aid of other humane and benevolent individuals, he saw, before his death, twenty widows comfortably set 270 PICTURE OF DUBLIX. tied in his alms-house. To, this family of helpless females he acted the part, during the remainder of his life, not only of a temporal parent but a spiritual pas- tor, and at his death he appointed the vicar and church- wardens of the parish of St. James trustees of the charity. The Alms-house is supported by an an- nual sermon, which enables the trustees to allow each widow 3s. 3d. per week, with a half-quartern loaf ; they have also a certain allowance of clothing. Widows Alms-House , Great Britain-street — This is an extensive stone building, containing 32 apart- ments, for as many widows, who receive two guineas per annum each. Though the house is in an airy situa- tion, and well planned, yet it is very deficient in that neatness and cleanliness so desirable in all establish- ments of this kind, and many parts seem to be fast hastening to decay. Fortic/cs Widows 9 Alms-House , Denmark-street, is on a plan nearly similar to the foregoing, but on a smaller scale. The widows (23 in number) receive each 31. 10s. annually, with a bag of coals at Christ- mas* An air of neatness and cleanliness pervades this asylum, the vacancies in which are alternately filled up by the Lord Chancellor and the Rector of Saint Mary's. The Widows Retreat is a neat brick building not long since erected in the healthy outlet of Drumcondra. It contains accommodations for 24 widows, each of whom has an allowance of 2s. 6d. per week. The rooms are extremely neat and comfortable, being fur- nished with every necessary accommodation, and in the rere is an extensive garden. The inmates are received without distinction of religion into this admirable esta- blishment, which was erected at the sole expense of the Latouche family. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 271 The Asylum for Clergymen s Widows , in Mercer- street, was founded by Lady Anne Hume. It can only accommodate six, who, besides their lodging, receive an annual stipend of 101. It is matter of re- gret, that amidst the numerous charities with which the Irish metropolis abounds, no other provision has yet been made for the widows and families of unbene- ficed clergymen, about seventy of whom are fc in the diocese of Dublin. Besides the above, there are Alms-houses attached to several of the parishes, in which above 200 widows are maintained. These, with the exception of Knight's, in Peters parish, are supported by the weekly collec- tions made in the parish churches, aided by subscrip- tions and donations. In the other parishes the collec- tions are distributed to a certain number of widows in bread and money. Methodist Alms-House, W hit efriar street, for pious, aged, and infirm widows of that society, was erected in 1766, at the expense of 600/. Persons of various religious denominations contributed to this good work. Twenty widows were admitted in the following year, and the number has since been increased to twenty- four, who are furnished with bedding, coab, candles, and money, in such proportions, from six pence to four shillings each, per week, as their respective neces- sities require, or the state of the funds will admit. — The charity is supported by annual sermons preached in the meeting-house of Whitefriar-street, and the other chapels in Dublin in the occupation of that So- ciety, which are usually attended by Protestants of every denomination. About 100 widows have been received into this house since its erection, many of whom have died in peace. Piety, contentment, and gratitude to Heaven and their earthly benefactors, particularly mark the demeanour of all the inmates. 272 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. which, with the order, neatness, and cleanliness that reign throughout, cannot fail to attract the attention of every visitor. Much of the prosperity of this excellent establishment is justly attributed to the judicious and unwearied exertions of the late Arthur Keene, Esq. a name that will be long revered and honoured by his surviving fellow- citizens. The Presbyterian Congregation of Eustace street support a widows house in Cork-street, containing 12 individuals ; Mr. Cooper’s Society one in Plunket- street, containing a similar number; and the Mora- vians one in Whitefriar- street, which accommodates 13 widows and aged females. ROMAN CATHOLIC ALMS-HOUSES. Asylum for Widows , Clarke s-c our t, Great Ship- street , founded in 1797. On this establishment are maintained twenty -five widows, who were once house- keepers of respectability, but who have been reduced to poverty by unavoidable circumstances, and such alone are admitted into this asylum. The expenses attendant on the institution are defrayed by private subscriptions, and the produce of an annual charity sermon. Widows and Aged Women's Asylum , Archbold's - court , Cook-street . — This establishment has been lately removed from its former situation in John’s-lane, to where it is now fixed. It supplies thirty-four destitute widows, and other aged and distressed females, with food and raiment, and every other necessary. It is supported by subscriptions, and by a charity sermon on the third Sunday after Epiphany. Widows Institution, Lower Lifey-street.-- This is PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 273 but a recent establishment, and is at present confined to the garret-rooms of the house No. 8, Lower Liffey- street, where seven houseless and friendless poor wi- dows are supported by the charitable contributions of a few subscribers, who are making exertions to establish a widowsVhouse in St. Mary’s parish, and to extend their protection and support to a greater number of those destitute creatures. CHARITABLE ASYLUMS. The House of Industry . — This institution was es- tablished by Act of Parliament in 1773, and is sup- ported by parliamentary grants. The Corporation, which originally consisted of a much larger number, is now reduced to one governor and seven visitors. — They are authorized and required to seize and commit to the House of Industry all strolling vagrants, &c. to keep them to hard labour from two months to four years, according to circumstances, and in case of bad behaviour, to inflict upon them reasonable punish- ment. The system appears now, however, to be to- tally changed, and the establishment converted into a great hospital for the aged and infirm, lunatics dis- charged as incurable from the Richmond Lunatic Asy- lum, orphan children, and the diseased. The latter are lodged in the Hardwicke Fever Hospital, the Whitworth Chronic ditto, and the Richmond Surgical ditto, which are all contiguous to the building. The whole of these aro under the care of the Governor of the House of Industry, and the total number on the 37th of April, 1821, was as follows : Infirm and Aged 736 Sick of Fever in Hardwicke Hospital .. %. 71 Chronic in Whitworth ditto . .. 103 Surgical in Richmond ditto .. ..108 Orphan Children in the Bedford Asylum . . . . 388 Beggars .. .. 16 Lunatics and Idiots 386 1808 274 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. Clothing is gratuitously furnished, and the inmates who are able to work are allowed a fourth of their earnings. As no coercion is used with respect to reli- gion, a Protestant and Roman Catholic chaplain at- tend, and the children in the house are educated in the religious tenets of their parents. The building consists of a hollow square, 265 feet by 230, which, besides the lodging.rooms and dining- hall, contains apartments for the officers, work-shops, and a ware-house, where all the plain-work and quitting done by the poor are given out aud received. Attached to the House of Industry is the Tal- bot Dispensary, where upwards of 9,000 poor persons have been prescribed for since its establishment. Through the whole of this immense concern a de- gree of cleanliness, comfort, and convenience is dis- played, which must gratiify evqry visitor, and reflects the highest credit on the persons engaged in its superin- tendance and management. Asylum for Aged and Infirm Female Servants . — This house was opened on Summer-hill in 1809, for a class of poor previously too much neglected. Certifi- cates of good conduct from their masters or mistresses must be produced previous to admission into this asy- lum, where, besides neat and comfortable apartments, each individual receives a sufficient quantity of coals and 3s. 3d. per week. The number of individuals ac- commodated here is 24, and the institution is sup- ported by subscriptions, donations, and an annual sermon. House of Refuge , Bagot-street . — This institution, the first of the kind ever established, owes its origin to the benevolence and talent of the late Mrs.Theodosia Blachford. Having always taken a peculiar interest in the edu- cation and advancement of young females in the lower PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 275 ranks of life, she observed that the cause which led many to decline from virtue, and exposed them to in- numerable evils, was the want of a home and a shelter during that interesting period of life when the world is new, and the mind unaware of its seductions. In par- ticular, she was struck with the desolate state of those whose infancy had been protected in Charity Schools, who, after having finished the period of their appren- ticeship, were left exposed to every danger, from im- proper lodgings and society, before they could obtain a new situation.* To supply a place of temporary retreat and protection for such innocent and destitute young females, the House of Refuge was opened in the year 1802, in Upper Baggot-street, under excellent regula- tions, and the management of an experienced matron. In the course of time, the usefulness of the institu- tion being universally acknowledged, but the funds, and size of the building then occupied, inadequate to ad- mit the increasing number of applicants for admission, the late Mrs. Benjamin Guinness, whose energy in every good cause was as conspicuous as her judgment in selecting proper objects for its exertion, made great and successful efforts to obtain an increase of public support; and in the year 1814 the handsome and com- modious building, in the lower part of Baggot-street, was erected, and the number of inmates increased from thirty to fifty. The house is conducted under the superintendance of a committee of Governesses, who inspect the accounts, the domestic economy of the establishment, and the conduct of its inmates. Those who desire it are taught to read, and all of them instructed in religious know- ledge, and acquaintance with the Scriptures. They are * This inestimable lady was mother to Mrs. H. Tighe, the cele- brated author of Psyche. The copy-right of this poem was sold for five hundred pounds, which Mrs. Tighe gave to the house to supply a fund for assisting those young girls who had lost their health, and were unable to see& for service. 276 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. employed in washing, mangling, plain -work, and other feminine labours, and every pains taken to for- ward their moral and intellectual improvement. House of Refuge, Stanhope-street . — The object of this institution is similar to the preceding; but it has been rendered remarkable, as having originated with a pious widow who kept a fruit-shop at the corner of Bow- street, Mary’s-lane. Feeling sensible of the dangers which threatened young females of the lower class, when out of employment, she devoted part of her house to their reception. Her amiable and benevolent con- duct soon excited the attention of the Roman Catholic clergy, to which persuasion she belonged ; and, through their exertions amongst the opulent of their flock, a spacious house was purchased in Stanhope-street. This establishment is under the superintendance of the Reli- gious Sisters of Charity, Stanhope-street. It gives an asylum and support to thirty young women until places are provided for them, as servants, in respectable fami- lies. From the moment they are received into the asy- lum, the greatest care is taken to confirm them in vir- tuous habits, and improve them in a knowledge of va- rious branches of industrious employments, which may enable them to become useful members of Society, and procure for themselves comfortable means of support. This establishment is supported by the private contri- butions of the benevolent, and by an annual charity ty sermon. Asylum for Old Men , Russel- Place.— This estab- lishment, which is situated on the Circular-road, near Mountjoy-scjuare, was completed in 1812 at an expense of thirteen hundred pounds. It is a substantial brick building, containing accommodations for 24 old men, who are supported by subscriptions, donations, and the produce of an annual charity sermon. The terms of admission require that the applicant must be a Protest- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 277 ant, and at least sixty years of age ; that he lias not been a servant, or retailer of spirituous liquors, and his character must be unexceptionable. The Retreat . — This Institution was established at Drumcondra in 1814, and its object is to afford a tem- porary asylum to the aged, the widow, and the orphan, in case of any sudden emergency. The building cost thirteen hundred pounds, and in one year 247 persons have been successively provided for in it. It is entirely supported by the contributions of a few indviduals. Dorset Institution . — This excellent establishment was formed in 1815, through the exertions of her Ex- cellency the Duchess of Dorset, for the relief of in- dustrious females. The house is situated in Lower Abbey-street, where a number of children are em- ployed plaiting straw, under a matron. The children get their dinner, and the produce of their labour as incentives to industry. There is also a ware-room, where wearing apparel is sold to the poor at reduced prices. In another department of the Institution work is tak'en in, which is given to poor room-keepers to make up. Near 200 bonnets have been manufactured by the children in six months, and upwards of 120 plain-workers are frequently employed. Simpson’s Hospital for Blind and Gouty Old Men. — In the year 1778, Mr. George Simpson, a res* pectable merchant in Dublin, bequeathed a large estate for the purpose of founding an asylum exclusively for blind and gouty patients, having himself been severely afflicted with these disorders. The establishment was afterwards incorporated by act of parliament. An inconvenient private house was at first made use of in Great Britain-street, but it was afterwards thrown down, and the present extensive and commodious edi- fice erected on its site. The house contains a spacious U 278 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. dining-hall, well aired dormitories, and every accom- modation that can tend to the comfort of the venerable inmates. At the rere is an excellent garden, laid out in gravel-walks and grass-plats. Former respectabi- Uiy, as well as an irreproachable character, is a neces- sary qualification to obtain admission into the asylum. About fifty * is the number usually in the house, who are well clothed, and provided with food of the very best kind. The annual expense of each individual is estimated at 50/. It tends much to the comforts expe- rienced in this admirable establishment, that its inmates are not afflicted in the same manner. While the eye of the gouty patient serves as a guide to the blind, the arm of the latter supports his lame companion. A group of the blind are sometimes seen listening atten- tively to the newspaper, or some interesting hook, which is read by one of the lame patients, and they, in return, frequently amuse their friends with a tune on the liute or violin. The Richmond National Institution , which was opened in 1809, is situated in Sackville-street, and here the youthful blind are taught netting, weav- ing, mending, and sewing sacks, and basket- making. The pupils shew great aptitude to learn, and some of them have made a great proficiency in these useful arts. The number of inmates in the house is generally near thirty. The Molyneux Asylum — This is an establishment for the support of blind females, who are taught to plait straw, twist cords for window curtains, and those who possess talents for music, are instructed to play on the piano-forte, to qualify them to become or- ganists. On the site of the house, which is in Peier- street, the family mansion of Sir Capel Molyneux formerly stood. It was afterwards taken by Mr. Ast- ley, who built his amphitheatre in the rere of the PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 279 dwelling-house ; but the general taste for such exhibi- tions being now superseded by a thirst for pleasures of a much nobler kind, that scene of fashionable amusement is, with little alteration, converted into the chapel of the Molyneux Asylum, which is generally well attended. The asylum is capable of containing 50 blind females, though not more than 20 are at pre- sent on the establishment. Royal Hospital , Kilmainham . — The project of es- tablishing an asylum for that highly deserving Hfss of the community, disabled and worn out officers and sol- diers, is said to have originated about the year 1675, with Arthur, Earl of Granard, Marshal-General of the Army in Ireland,' and through the exertions of the great and good Duke of Ormond it was soon after hap- pily carried into effect. For this purpose King Charles II. granted 64 acres of that part of the Phoenix-park, lying south of the Liffey, which had formerly been the property of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. The Duke of Ormond laid the first stone, and the Earl of Longford the second, on the 29th of April, 1680, and the Hospital was completed for the recep- tion of invalids on the 25th of March, 1684, at the expense of 23,559/. 16s. 11 id. It forms a rectangle of 306 feet by 288, presenting four good fronts to view. The area in the centre is neatly laid out in grass-plats and gravel-walks, and nearly surrounded with a piazza for the convenience of shelter. The centre of the north front is decorated with Corinthian pilasters, and an entablature, over which is a handsome steeple. — Over the door-way are the arms of the Duke of Or- mond. The interior is fitted up in a style of great neatness and simplicity. The dining-hall is 100 feet in length by 45 in breadth, and the lower part of the walls are decorated with a variety of military weapons fancifully disposed. The upper part on three sides is ornamented with portraits of King Charles TI. Wil- 280 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. liana III. and his Consort Queen Mary, Queen Anne, George, Prince of Denmark, the Dukes of 'Or- mond, Dorset, and Devonshire, Lords Primate Boyle and Marsh, the Earls of Ossory, Arran, Galway, Berkeley and Rochester, Lord Coningsby, S-irs Charles Porter, Cyril Wych, and Richard Cox, Generals Erie and Hamilton, and Thomas Knightly, Esq. — The chapel, which is 86 feet by 36, has a variety of ornaments in Irish oak, richly carved, and a coved ceiling highly decorated in stucco. Though the Hos- pital contains accommodations for 400 men, there are not 300 in it. They are comfortably lodged, well fed, and clothed, and each man is allowed eight pence per week tobacco-money. The house of the Com- mander-in-Chief, who is always the governor, is de- lightfully situated, having a beautifully diversified view of the Phoenix-park, the Royal Military Infir- mary ? cfcc. A fine military road has been lately made from the Hospital to the spacious quay called Usher’s- island. The entire expense of this munificent esta- blishment is defrayed by government . HOSPITALS FOR THE DISEASED. Lying -in- Hospital . — This most excellent charity owes its origin to the humanity and unwearied exer- tions of Doctor Bartholomew Mosse, who, during his practice as an accoucheur, was deeply affected with the miseries suffered by the lower classes of females during the period of their confinement. In 1745, this amiable man took a house in George’s-lane, which he furnished with beds and other necessaries at his own expense, for the reception of poor lying-in-women ; but finding, in a few years, his plan too limited for the great number of applicants, he, in J 750, took a lease of a plot of ground in Great Britain-street, for the purpose of erecting thereon a large hospital. He first, at the risk of his whole fortune, laid out the present PICTURE OF DUBLIX. 281 Rotunda-gardens as a place of public resort, the pro- fits of which he determined to apply to the furtherance of his plan. On the 24th of May, 1751, Alderman Taylor, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, laid the first stone of the Building, which was carried on by lottery schemes until 8,000/. was expended; but this being found totally inadequate to the completion of the work, and the worthy projector being consequently involved in many difficulties, he was under the necessity of pe- titioning the House of Commons, who granted the sum of 12,000/. for finishing the Hospital, and 2,000/. for the Doctor s own use, as a reward for his services. His Majesty, about the same time, incor- porated several noblemen and gentlemen as guardians of the institution, and appointed Doctor Mosse Master of the Hospital for life. It was opened on the 8th of December, 1757, and from that period to the 3d of November, 1820, 98,230 women have been delivered, of 51,270 boys, and 46,960 girls. Of these 1600 had twins. The proportion between the sexes, and the casualties that have occurred, will be seen from the fol- lowing table : Proportion of Males and Females born, 12 males to 11 females. Children died in Hospital 1 to 15 Do. still-born 1 to 18 Women having twins, &c. 1 to 81 Ditto died in child-bed I to 100 Dr. Mosse fell a victim to the severe exertions which he made use of to forward his benevolent plan. He died in 1759, leaving behind him as a monument of his successful perseverance, not only one of the most useful charities, but one of the handsomest structures in the metropolis. The centre building, which is 125 feet by 82, is finely ornamented, and at both sides are curved colonnades. The interior of the edifice pos- sesses solidity, neatness, and convenience. There is a grand stair-case of Portland stone, lighted by a large Venetian window, near which .stands a marble bust of u 3 282 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. Doctor Mosse, the parent of the institution. The wards, which contain 87 beds, open off galleries run- ning the entire length of the building. One ward, containing seven beds, is maintained by a bequest of one thousand pounds left by the late Primate Robin- son. iVnother, of eight beds, by a similar bequest of the late Thomas Preston, Esq. and a third, containing twelve beds, has received perpetual endowment by the liberal application of 3000/. bequeathed to charitable purposes by the late William Ralphson, Esq. No recommendation but evident distress is required to gain admission into this asylum, where every humane attention is given to the patients at all hours of the day and night. They are kept in the house a reasonable time after parturition, and on dismission, supplies of flannels, linen, and other necessaries are occasionally given to the most needy. The expenses of the insti- tution are defrayed by the receipts of the Rotunda and chapel, aided by the bounty of parliament. Stevens’s Hospital . — In 1710, Doctor Richard Stevens bequeathed an estate of 750/. per annum to his sister, Griselda Stevens, and after her decease he vested it in trustees, for the purpose of founding an hospital for curable poor persons. Mrs Stevens, anxious even during her life-time, to fulfil her brother s intentions, purchased ground on the south bank of the Liffey, and in 1720 commenced the present spacious edifice. The plan proving too expensive for the endowment, it was necessary to open a public sub- scription, by which the sum of 1,400/. was obtained, which enabled the Governors to complete the edi- fice, at the expense of 16,000/. It forms a spa- cious square of 233 by 200 feet, having in the cen- tre an area surrounded by a piazza, leading to the different parts of the building, which is capable of receiving 300 patients. The chapel is neat and convenient, and for the support of the chaplain consi- derable bequests were left by the celebrated Stella and PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 283 Doctor Stearne, Bishop of Clogher. The library is a handsome room, 31 feet by 25. The books are a be- quest of Doctor Edward North, for the use of the chaplains and medical gentlemen belonging to the Hospital. In the west front is a theatre for surgical operations, an apothecary's shop, laboratory, baths, &c. The annual income of the hospital is about 2.5001. a year, besides a parliamentary grant of 1.5001. St. Patrick's , or Swift's Hospital , — The celebrated Dean Swift, who died in 1745, bequeathed the whole of his property (with the exception of a few trifling legacies,) amounting to about 11,000/. towards found- ing an hospital for lunatics and ideots. With the addi- tion of some other charitable donations and grants from parliament, this benevolent object was carried into effect, and the hospital opened in 1757. It is si- tuated on the north side of Bow-lane, is capable of conveniently accommodating 177 patients, and is a substantial well-built edifice, extending in front 147 feet. There are six wards, occupying two long paral- lel buildings, 327 feet by 33 each. The cells are 12 feet by 8, and all communication between the male and female patients is completely cut off. Besides these there are 19 apartments for chamber- boarders, who pay 100 guineas per annum each, and have each a servant for their own exclusive use. There are also accommodations for 48 ward boarders, who pay 60 guineas per annum each. The patients are permitted, at proper times, to enjoy air and exercise in the gar- dens, and some late improvements have been made, which must greatly add to the comforts of the unfor- tunate inmates. The annual expense exceeds 5,000/. Richmond Lunatic Asylttm.—llh is spacious establish- ment was completed in 1815, during the viceroyalty of the late Duke of Richmond, at the expense of 70,000/. It contains 198 cells arranged in 24 conidores, and is conducted on the same plan as the Bethelehem Hospital “ 284. PICTURE OF DUBLIN. in London. The patients are allowed all possible per- sonal liberty consistent with their safety, every cause of irritation is carefully avoided, and all violence or ill-treatment strictly prohibited. The happy effects of this humane system have been already proved by the restoration of many of the patients. The number of patients in the house on the 6th of January, 1821, was 1 16 male and 1 12 female. Dur- ing the last year 69 were completely recovered, 19 relieved, 10 of whom have since been restored, 76 were transferred as incurable to the House of Industry, and 24 died. The most admirable means are adopted in this establishment to promote the recovery of its un- happy inmates, and the result has already proved the great advantages of the mild system of treatment. No punishment is at any time resorted to except the imposi- tion of arm-straps, the muff, strait- waistcoat, or solitary seclusion in darkness for a few hours. Between forty and fifty of the patients regularly attend family prayer, and behave with the strictest propriety and decorum, and several have expressed a wish for the possession of bibles, prayer-books, and other religious books; and in many instances a material improvement in the manners and conduct of the patients has been the result. Great advantages have also arisen from keep- ing such of the patients as are capable of working, constantly employed. Between 20 or 30 males are daily occupied, chiefly in the garden ; Several hundred yards of linen and diaper have been woven by two weavers, patients in the house, whose looms were made by a carpenter, another of the unfortunate inmates, and who is constantly employed at his trade. Between 40 and 50 of the female patients are occupied in spin- ning, knitting, making or mending clothes, washing in the laundry, cleaning the house, &c. The house is furnished with baths of various de- scriptions, the corridores are spacious and chearful, but we cannot help remarking that a considerable de- gree ®f gloom prevails in the inner-yard. PICTURE OP DUBLIX. 285 There is detached accommodation in two separate wings for 1 6 patients of each sex, the total number the Hospital is capable of containing being 230; the ar- rangement of the apartments, furniture, &c. in the con- valescent wings, which are of a superior description to those of the ceils, is calculated to produce a favourable effect in promoting the good conduct of the patients ; as any dereliction of the rules, or deviation from pro- priety, invariably subjects the offender to immediate removal from that rank in society to which his former amendment had entitled him. The Asylum has been visited during the past year oy many most intelligent and observant persons, who, in contrasting its arrangements and management with the best Asylums in Great Britain, and on the Conti- tinent, have - recorded very satisfactory testimonials of their approbation, in a book provided for that purpose, always accessible to visitors. The institution is supported by annual parliamentary grants. Westmorland , or hock Hospital , v?as opened in 1792 for the reception of persons in indigent cireum- » stances afflicted with the venereal complaint. It is an extensive building, situated in Townsend-street, and capable of holding 300 patients. Trusses are given out at this Hospital to the ruptured poor every Wednes- day and Saturday. The expense of the establishment generally exceeds 10,000/. a year, which ig supported entirely by parliamentary grants. Sir Patrick Dun's Hospital —This gentleman having bequeathed estates for establishing professor- ships in the College of Physicians, and other medical puposes, it was resolved in the year 1800 to found this establishment, which may be regarded in two different points of view ; first as an asylum for the diseased poor; and secondly, as connected with the School of 286 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. Physic, likely to afford the young student an opportu- nity of seeing the most critical diseases treated by experienced professors. The building forms a hand- some front of 194 feet, consisting of a centre and two wings neatly ornamented. It is calculated to receive 1 00 patients, and the wards are ventilated on the plan recommended by Mr. Howard in his work on lazaret* tos. In the rere of the centre is a lecture-room 42 feet by 31, in which the professors lecture twice a week on the cases of the patients, and explain the nature of their practice. Mercer s Hospital . — In 1734, Mrs. Mary Mercer gave a large stone-house at the end of Stephen-street, to be fitted up as an hospital for the sick poor. The be- nefactions of the public enabled the governors in 1738 to make a considerable addition to the house, and in 1750 they were incorporated. There are six wards, in which are generally about 40 or 50 patients. Three of the wards are appropriated to the reception of per- sons, labouring under accidental injuries, as wounds, fractures, &c. and physicians and surgeons of the first eminence attend without reward. Hospital for Incurables . — This benevolent institu- tion owes its origin to the Earl of Mornington, father of the Duke of Wellington. This nobleman, it is well known, had a great love for music ; and a musical society being formed under his patronage, by whom public concerts were given, he proposed that the pro- fits should be devoted to the humane purpose of making a provision for such poor persons as laboured under incurable diseases. The efforts of the society were for some time so successful, that they completed the hos- pital in Townsend-street, which was capable of receiv- ing 100 patients; but the establishment declined from various causes till the year 1790, when it experienced a revival through a legacy bequeathed to it by Theo- bald Wolf, Esq. The Governors, two years after, PICTURE OF DUBLIN 287 exchanged the house in Townsend-street for a house and lands in Donnybrook, which had been appro- priated to a Lock Hospital, and where the unhappy patients have the advantage of pure air and rural re- tirement. There are 50 patients on the establishment, and in the admission of applicants scrupulous attention is paid to the misery of the complaint, the age of the patient, and former good conduct. Charitable Infirmary, Jervis-sireet . — This institu* tionwas established at the beginning of the last century, and may therefore be considered as the parent of all the hospitals in Dublin. It was founded in the year 1721, at the sole expense of six surgeons, whose names deserve to be recorded, viz. George Duany, Patrick Kelly, Nathaniel Handson, John Dowdall, Francis Duany, and Peter Brenan. It was first established in a small house in Cook-street, afterwards on King's Inns Quay, and finally, an advantageous bargain having been made with the late Earl of Charlemont, it was re- moved to its present situation in Jervis-street. The Governors were incorporated in 1792, and in 1803 the house was rebuilt. It contains a reception-room, apo- thecary’s-shop, board-room, lecture-room, and 50 beds, bnt from the limited state of the funds only 30 can be supported. The hospital is at presently chiefly con- fined to the reception of those who have received frac- tures, and other casualties. The average daily num- ber of extern patients prescribed for at this hospital is 150, and in 1808 a school was established in the > hospital for medical and surgical education, and a small library for the use of the students. Its funds arise from interest of money, Grand Jury cess, and annual subscriptions. Royal Military Infirmary . — This edifice is beauti- fully situated in the south-east angle of the Phoenix 288 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. Park. The front consists of a centre and two wings, built of Portland stone, and extending 170 feet. The first stone was laid in 1786 by the Duke of Rutland, and the work completed in two years at the expense of 9,000/. The interior contains apartments for the officers, and Ihirteen extensive and well ventilated wards, in which are J 87 beds. At the rere is a new fever hospital. A few acres of the Phoenix Park are walled off, in which the convalescents enjoy air and exercise, while on every side a scene of the most beautiful nature is presented to their view. The ac- commodations and attendance in the hospital are of the very best kind, and the expense is near 9,000/. a year, about one-half of which is supplied by parlia- mentary grants, and the remainder by deductions from the pay of the patients while in the infirmary. House of Recovery, or Fever Hospital, Cork-street . The sufferings of the poor from contagious fever, and the dangers to which the higher orders of society were consequently exposed, had long been objects of serious consideration to the reflecting and philanthropic part of mankind. No measure was, however, adopted for separating the infected from the healthy part of the community till the year 1801, when the public atten- tion was excited by accounts received of the beneficial effects resulting from the establishment of fever-hos- pitals at Manchester and Waterford. A subscription was entered into, which aided by a grant of 1,000/. from Parliament, soon amounted to £.8,935 7s. 1 \d. and on the 14th of May, 1804, the present hospital was opened for the reception of patients. It is situated in a field of about three acres on the South side of Cork-street, nearly the highest ground in the neigh- bourhood of the metropolis, and is composed of two parallel buildings of 116 feet in length by 35 in breadth ; the eastern building contains the sick, and the PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 289 western the convalescent, and between both these is a covered colonnade, by which the patients are con- veyed. from the sick to the convalescent side of the house. That part of the building appropriated to the sick contains 35 wards, each 16 feet by 11, which are kept well ventilated and whitewashed. The bed-steads are of cast iron with boards laid across. The greatest attention is paid to cleanliness, and the management of the hospital is conducted according to a general system of rules laid down by, and under the guidance of Doctor Currie of Liverpool, and Doctors Percival and Bardsley of Manchester. The convalescent wards are calculated to promote the restoration of the patient, being lightsome, cheerful, and comfortable, command- ing a view of verdant fields and distant mountains. The mode of treatment pursued from the period of the patient’s admission to the hospital to his complete resto- ration to health is as follows: He is conveyed to the house in a covered carriage placed on springs, and when stripped in the reception-room, his clothes are put into cold water. His face, hands and feet are then washed with warm water, and he is conveyed to bed, after being provided with clean linen. This removal from his own filthy and uncomfortable habitation has often produced almost instantaneously the most salutary effects. From this period he is visited every day by a physician, and when able to sit up is provided with a white wrapper, stockings and slippers, and soon after passes to the convalescent building. When dismissed from the house his own wearing apparel are returned to him, after having undergone a thorough purification. The happy effects produced by this admirable system during the recent visitation of Providence throughout this island, are so fresh in the memory of the present generation as to render comment unnecessary. From the period of its establishment to October, 1820, 40,629 patients have been received. X 290 PICTURE OF DUBLIN*. There are similar institutions, though on a smaller scale, on the Circular-road, Dorset-street, called the Whitworth Fever hospital, which was opened in 1818, and St. George’s House of Recovery, St. George's Place, near Dorset-street. The United Hospital of St. Mark and St. Anne was opened in 1808, for the relief of poor persons re- quiring surgical and medical aid. Children are vacci- nated ther|r every day. DISPENSARIES. These highly useful institutions, for distributing medicine and advice gratuitously to the poor, origi- nated in London, in 1687, and no similar establish- ment was formed in Dublin for near a century after. — The first institution of the kind was commenced in. 1782, for the parishes of St. Thomas and St. Mary, by Doctors Law and Paul. The system is now happily adopted throughout the city, from which it appears that on an average between 20,000 and 30,000 poor persons annually receive medical advice and medicines at the moderate expence to the community of about Is. 4d. per head. National Eye Infirmary . — This institution was established in 1814, and is supported by private sub- scriptions. Great numbers have received benefit from it, and some have been restored to complete vision. It is situated in North Cumberland-street. Charitable Institution , Kildar e-street . — This insti- tution is for the cure of diseases in the skin and eyes. Persons labouring under the former complaints (conta- gious eruptive fever and itch excepted) are to attend at nine in the mornings of Tuesdays and Fridays, and those with diseases of the eye, at the same hours on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 291 The Dispensary for Infant Poor was established in Clarendon-street in 1800, and there children from any part of the country may apply for relief. A vaccine institution has since been added, where the infection is distributed gratis to all who apply, and the diseases of mothers and adult females are also attended to. This useful establishment is supported by a charity sermon preached every third year. The Vaccine Institution,' Sackvi/le-str eel, was opened in 1804, under the direction of some of the most emi- nent physicians and surgeons in Dublin. It is support- ed by the sale of infection, which amounts to about 250/. per annum, and a grant from government of 150/. In sixteen years 64,583 patients have been inoculated here, and 54,664 packets of infection issued to prac- iioners. •> apothecaries Hath — The corporation of Apothe- caries was formerly blended with that of Barbers, but, in 1745 they were constituted a distinct guild or body corporate within the city and liberties of Dublin. In 1790 a subscription was entered into for erecting an Apothecaries Hall, which produced 6,000/. and soon after the present edifice was finished in Mary’s-street. It consists of a large shop for vending drugs, and a laboratory for compounding chemicals under the direc- tions of an eminent chemist, with other apartments. Every apprentice, assistant and master must undergo a strict examination before the governors and court of examiners, who are bound by oath to refuse a certifi- cate to any one who shall be found incompetent. The foregoing short sketch of the different religious and charitable institutions in Dublin, will, we con- 282 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. ceive, bear us out in the assertion, that no city in Europe of similar extent has made greater or more successful exertions to alleviate human suffering, and afford the rising generation those means of useful in- struction, which are so highly calculated to render them useful members of society. The benevolent citizens of the Irish metropolis have literally become eyes to the blind and feet to the lame, the heart of the widow is made to sing for joy, and the destitute orphan has found in them fathers and protectors. For every disorder in- cident to humanity there is an hospital, and for those diseases of the mind, vicious habits, which, alas ! are much more difficult to be subdued, many Be- thesdas have been opened, whose healing waters have already had the most salutary effects. A great portion of the funds appropriated to these different institutions arises from charity sermons, which are annually preach- ed in almost every church, chapel, and meeting-house. Upon these occasions the most popular preachers are generally selected, and the whole parish or society strain every nerve to render the collection productive. Bills are posted and letters circulated to invite afhper- sons eminent for rank, opulence and liberality; and ladies are frequently the collectors. The contributions obtained in this way, in one year, amount to many thousands of pounds. PUBLIC SQUARES AND MONUMENTS. There are in Dublin five public squares, namely, three on the south, and two on the north side of the city, viz. St. StephenVGreen. — This square exceeds in extent any in the British Empire, being nearly an Eng- fish mile in circumference. It was first levelled in 1678, and the soil being moist, a deep ditch WU3 dug PICTURE OF DUBLIN". 293 round it to carry off the water. A low wall of plain masonry enclosed an area of 27 English acres, and immediately within the wall was a gravel walk lined with trees, separated from the interior square by the deep fosse or ditch already mentioned, which was a v receptacle for every kind of nuisance. A considerable improvement has, however, been lately effected with respect to this noble square. Empowered by an act of parliament, the inhabitants have obtained a grant of . it in fee farm from the corporation, whose property it is, at 3001 . per annum. They have since filled up the . ditch, levelled the walls, and while the gravel- walk is bounded on the inside by a handsome iron palisade, it is enclosed from the street by granite pillars connected by chains, and surmounted by lamp-posts. The area is laid down with plantations and walks, a great num- ber of trees, evergreens and shrubs having been scatter- ed through it. In the Centre stands an equestrian statue of King George the II. in a military habit, which was executed by Van Nost, in 1758 . Around the square are many magnificent houses, but they are intermixed with others of a very inferior description. The carriage way is now 60 feet wide, MERRroN-SquARE. — The interior area of this square contains 121 English acres, tastefully laid out in gravel- walks and shrubberies, and enclosed by a handsome iron railing. The space between this area and the houses is 70 feet, which gives a fine effect to the noble buildings by which it is surrounded, on three sides, the west side being in a great measure open to the back .lawn of the Dublin Society (formerly Leinster) House. At the same side stands an ornamented foun- tain, with inscriptions to the memory 9 f the Duke of Rutland, but it has been shamefully mutilated. The houses in this square being built in the most elegant modern style, it is inhabited in general by persons of the first, rank. It is a very fashionable promenade on X3 294 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. summer evenings, a military band frequently attend* ing. Fitzwilliam-Square was commenced some years back, a little to the east- ward cf Stephen’s-Green ; and though much smaller, promises, when completed, to vie with Merrion Square in neatness and elegance. Rutland-Square lies on the north side of the river at the upper end of Sackville-street. Granby-row, Caven- dish-row, and Palace-row, form three sides of this square, and the Lying-in-Hospital and the Rotunda the fourth* The Rotunda, which stands east of the Hospital, is a circular building, containing a ball-room and supper- room, each 86 feet in length, with a variety ^of other apartments of suitable dimensions. The whole is finished and decorated in a style of great elegance. The centre of the square is laid out in gravel walks and shrubberies, which in the evenings of the summer months are lighted up with lamps, and afford a delightful promenade to the citizens, military bands always at- tending. In the centre of Palace-row stands the house of the Earl of Charlemont, which is built of stone in a fine style of architecture. The interior of the house is a model of convenience, and some of the apartments are decorated by paintings of the first masters. Amongst these, a Judas by Rembrandt, and a portrait of Caesar Borgia by Titian, are much ad- mired. The library is a fine apartment, and contains a most extensive collection of scarce and valuable books, manuscripts, &c. There are also in the house a cabinet of pictures and antiquities, another of medals, a fine copy of the Venus de Medicis, together with some handsome statues and Egyptian curiosities. Mountjoy-Square, which lies north-east ofthelast mentioned, is surrounded by seventy -two houses, built n the most elegant modern style, and with exact uni- - v;*\ . :o . ?T.:s■• ; ■ ■• V- — ■ i:-t’j'cc70i .-r.. • • . .. , . -r.sr&Q -v^T - 7 - ^ Jfiii? to ■ . ' . r . . ~ r. jsrrjeoH v/.' '• .; . - : • •• 'i :0v/g fcr/. • . tc^ys: rr, •" / • • - :/rh- ;■. s/f.: • c : ' ■ ;■- • ? 'j :■ . ■ : i':;d \ PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 295 formity. Eight spacious streets form the approaches to this square, the centre of which consists of a fine lawn, inclosed by a neat iron palisade. A spacious gravel-walk winds through the whole, and round the margin a variety of flowering shrubs are planted. The elevated and airy situation of Mountjoy Square, the elegance and convenience of the houses, with the general splendor of the adjoining streets, all combine to render it one of the most agreeable city residences in the British Empire. QUAYS AND BRIDGES, Amidst the various improvements which have lately taken place in the Irish metropolis, the opening of the quays, and rebuilding of the walls in their present con- venient form, must hold a distinguished rank. This can be justly appreciated only by those who have seen them a few years back, interrupted and disfigured by un- sightly buildings, which are now altogether removed, so that few cities can present so grand a combination of fine quays with superb buildings and elegant bridges. The walls, which are twelve feet thick at the founda- tion, are faced with mountain granite, and in most places they are constructed with parapets, inter- rupted at convenient distances by iron-gates, stone- stairs, and slips. The river is crossed by eight bridges, which we shall notice in order, beginning at the west- ward. Sarah-Bridge, (so called after Sarah, Countess of Westmoreland, by whom the foundation-stone was laid in the year 1791) is 256 feet long, and 38 broad. It consists of a single elliptic arch, 104 feet in diameter, and the key-stone is 30 feet above low water. This bridge has been denominated the Irish Rialto, being in fact seven feet wider in the span than the famous Venetian bridge. It is situated opposite the Pham ix Park. 296 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. Barrack-Bridge was originally built of wood in 1671, but afterwards constructed of stone. It con- sists of four plain semicircular arches. The erection, at the south end, of a grand Gothic gateway leading to Kilmainham Hospital, and the rural scenery in the back ground, gives to this bridge at present a Very ro- mantic appearance. Queen’s Bridge consists of three arches of hewn stone, and though small, being but 140 feet in length, is neat and well proportioned, ft was erected in 1 768. and named after her late Majesty. On the site of the present structure Arran-bridge formerly stood, which was built in 1683, and swept away by a Hood in 1763. Whitworth Bridge connects two of the oldest streets in Dublin, Bridge-street on the south and Church-street on the north side of the river. The first stone was laid on the 16th of October, 1816, by Earl Whitworth, then Lord Lieutenant, and it was soon after completed. It has three arches, and is a very handsome structure. The most ancient of all the bridges formerly stood upon this site, known at different periods by, the names of the Old Bridge, Dublin Bridge, and Or- mond Bridge. It is supposed to have been built at a very early . period, as it fell down in 1385, and was re-erected in 1428 by the Dominican Friars. It stood from that time till it was demolished by the great flood of 1802. In sinking for the foundation of Whit- worth Bridge, it was discovered that the foundation of the Old Bridge rested upon the ruins of another still more ancient, which is supposed to have been con- structed in King John’s reign, and those ruins indi- cated, that a bridge of a better construction had at a still more remote period occupied its situation. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 297 Richmond Bridge was founded by the Duchess of Richmond on the 9th of August, 1813, and opened for the public on St. Patrick's Day, 1816. It is 220 feet long, and 52 broad, exceeding in breadth any of the London bridges. It consists of three arches, the key- stones of which are ornamented with six colossal heads, representing Peace, Hibernia, and Commerce, on one side, and Plenty, the Liffey, and Industry on the other. The whole is constructed of Portland stone, and its beautiful lamp-posts and a ballustrade of cast iron, which connects it along the entire front of the Four Courts with Whitworth Bridge, render it a truly ele- gant structure. The expense amounted to 25,800/. raised by presentments on the city and county of Dublin. In sinking the foundation of the south abut- ment opposite Winetavern-street, some antiquities were found about four feet below the bed of the river. They consisted of coins of Philip and Mary, and Elizabeth, as well as German and Spanish pieces, Cannon balls, pike heads, and other implements of war. On the opposite side were found two ancient boats, caulked with moss, in one of which was a large hu- man skeleton, Essex Bridge was originally founded in 1676, during the Viceroyalty of Arthur, Earl of Essex. — The old foundation decaying, it was re-built in 1755, having been completed in the short space of eighteen months. It is a noble structure of hewn stone, on the exact model of Westminster-bridge, and consists of five arches, proportioned to the five central arches of its model, as three to five. It is 250 feet long, and 51 wide, which is seven feet broader than Westminster- bridge. The expense amounted to 20,6611. 11s. 4d. Iron Bridge. — A considerable space intervening between Essex and Carlisle Bridges, an Iron Bridge was erected in 1816, about mid- way, for the conveni- 298 PICTURE OF DUBLIN. ence of foot passengers, who pay a toll of one half- penny each. It is 140 feet long, 12 feet wide, and rises 12 feet in the middle above high water mark. — It consists of one arch forming the segment of an ellipsis, and has a light and elegant appearance. The expense uf its erection was about 3000/. Carlisle Bridge. — This is the last bridge on the river to the eastward, and was commenced in 1791, after the opening of the new Custom-house. It is well built of cut stone, being 21 0 feet long, and 48 broad, with three arches of light and elegant propor- tions. This bridge forms the grand communication between the most splendid parts of Dublin. CANALS, DOCKS, &c. The Grand Canal bounds the City for three miles on the south and south-east sides. This canal was commenced in 1765, and completed to the Bar- row and Shannon harbour in 1806. It extends from Dublin to Robertstown, a distance of twen- ty miles west, whence proceed two branches, that to the right to Shannon-harbour, sixty-three .miles from Dublin, from which the Shannon is navigable to Limerick, &c. and that on the left to Athy, whence the Barrow is navigable to New Ross, Waterford, &c. The passage-boats, which are elegantly fitted up, leave Dublin at 7 in the morning for Athy and Tullamore, and at 2 .in the afternoon for Shannon-harbour.; and they arrive every day soon after 11 in the morning from the former, and about 8 in the evening from the latter place. The harbour is at Portobello, where there is an hotel of a very elegant description. The docks near -Ringsend, connected with this canal, are of very great dimensions. Vessels are admitted into them through large sea-locks. There are also three graving docks for the repair of shipping. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 299 The Royal Canal was projected ia the year 1789, and is now navigable through the counties of West- meath and Longford to Tarmonbarry, on the river Shannon, a distance of 71 miles. This Canal serves as a boundary line from the House of Industry, north- west of the City, to its communication with the Lif- fey, on the north-east. A boat leaves Broadstone-har- bour for Mullingar every morning, and another in the afternoon for Tarmonbarry. Boats also arrive every day from these places. The banks of these canals being in many parts planted with trees on each side, form a very delightful promenade. PUBLIC STATUES AND MONUMENTS. Equestrian Statue op William III. College - Grten, was erected in 1701, by the citizens of Dub- lin, to commemorate the Revolution of 1688. It is well executed in bronze, and stands on an elevated marble pedestal, which is surrounded with iron pali- sades. The pedestal has the following inscription : Gulielmo Tertio, Magnae Britannia*, Franciae, et Hiberniae Regi, Ob Religionem Conservatam, Restitutas Leges, Libertatem Assertam, Cives Dublinenenses banc statuam posuere. Equestrian Statue of George I. was placed in the year J720 on Essex-bridge, where it continued till the re-building of that structure in 1755. In the year 1789, it was re-erected near the Mansion-house in 300 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. Dawson-street, with the following inscription on the pedestal : Be it remembered, that at the time when Rebellion and Disloyalty were the Characteristics of the Day, the loyal Corporation of the City of Dublin re-elevated this Statue of the First Monarch of the Illustrious House of Hanover. Thomas Fleming, Lord Mayor, Jonas Paisley, and William Henry Archer, Sheriffs. Anno Domini, 1798. Equestrian Statue of George II. — This Sta- tue, which stands on a lofty pedestal in Stephen’s- green, was cast by Van Nost, in 1758. It represents the Monarch in a Roman habit, and possesses conside- rabte merit, but the immense area in which it is placed, lenders it an object of comparative insignificance from the surrounding walks. The following inscription is on the pedestal i Georgio Secundo, Magnae Britanniae, Franciae, et Hiberniae, Regi Forti et Reipublicae Maxime fideli Patriis Virtutibus Patroni secnri S. P. Q. D. A. D. 1758 Thomas Meade, Prcetore Urbano Michael Sweeny, ? Vice Comitibus. Guilielmo Forbes, $ Pedestrian Statues of George III. — One of these is erected in the Royal Exchange, and the other in the Bank of Ireland, but they have been already noticed in our description of those edifices ; as has also the statue of Doctor Lucas in the Royal Exchange. PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 301 Nelson’s Pillar. — This tribute of national grati- tude to the memory of our great naval hero, is situated in Sackville-street. It consists of a pedestal, column, and capital of the Tuscan order, the whole being sur- mounted by a well -executed statue of Lord Nelson leaning against the capstan of a ship. The entire height of the column and statue is 134 feet, 3 inches. There are within the pedestal and column 168 stone steps to ascend to the top, which is protected by a pa- rapet and iron-railing. Ten pence is required for per- mission to ascend, an expense which is amply repaid by the delightful prospect from this elevated situation, of the city and bay of Dublin, with the surrounding country. The names and dates of Lord Nelson's principal victories are inscribed on the four pannels of the pedestal, and a brass plate, covering a recess in the stone, filled with various coins, contains an inscription stating the object for which the pillar had been erected, and that the first stone had been laid on the 15th of February, 1808, by Charles Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. The total expense amount- ed to 6,8561. 8s. 3d. The Wellington Testimonial. — Some time back a voluntary subscription was entered into by many of the inhabitants of Dublin, and other parts of Ireland, to erect a monument, which should commemorate the extraordinary achievements of their heroic countryman. About 16,000/. having been speedily raised, various models were transmitted to the Dublin Society's Exhi- bition rooms, from amongst which, that of Mr. Smirke, an English architect, was selected. The plan is thus described jn the History of Dublin recently published. t( On the summit platform of a flight of steps, of an ascent so steep, and a construction so uncouth, that they seem made to prohibit instead of to invite the spectator to ascend them, a pedestal is erected of the simplest square form, in the die of which, on the four 302 TICTURE OP DUBLIN. sides, are as many pannels, having figures in basso-re- lievo, emblematic of the principal victories won by the Duke. Before the centre of what is intended for the principal front is a narrow pedestal insulated, and resting partly on the steps and partly on the platform. This pedestal supports^ an equestrian statue of the hero. From the platform a massive obelisk rises, truncated, and of thick and heavy proportions. On the four facades of the obelisk are inscribed the names of all the victories gained by the Duke of Wellington, from his first career in India to the battle of Waterloo. The whole structure is to be of plain mountain granite without any other decoration whatever.' 1 The total height of the monument will be 205 feet. Stephen's Green or Merrion Square was at first intended for the site of its erection, but the inhabitants, on account of its inelegant form, are said to have refused it admission. The Salute Battery in the Phoenix Park was then chosen ; “ a change of place/’ says the History of Dublin, “ fortunate for the design. Situated in a large romantic park, on elevated ground, surrounded with plantations, and accompanied with wide and ex- tensive surveys, its vast size and towering height will doubtless produce an imposing and grand effect, while its defects may, perhaps, be overlooked or disre- garded.” THE ROYAL ARCADE. The Royal Arcade and Grand Promenade form an extensive and elegant building erected on the site of the old Post Office in College Green, which is much frequented by strangers visiting the metropolis. The under part is the Arcade, which contains thirty shops, well assorted with all kinds of merchandize, and from strict regulations adopted, every article offered for sale must be good of its kind and free from any defect, and only one price is asked. The first floor is MOMISgOJTg MOTEl, DAWSOT ^TIEET, MCSME’g GMATO ^OfflJDEHAlDB . JDHUMLEN* MOM’S royal arcahhe. itoriBJLirjy* PICTURE OP DUBLIN. 303 intended for a Bazaar, and extends over tlie entire line of shops on both sides of the Arcade, and being con- nected at each end, forms a Promenade. It is laid out with ranges of counters the entire length, upwards of 200 feet, and the roof being supported by two ranges of Grecian Doric columns, gives it a noble and im- posing effect. This, like the Arcade, is entirely occu- pied by persons in business, but under separate regula- tions and restrictions : each establishment is formed by a counter division, which are let to the tenants only during their observance of the rules ; hereby affording the industrious mechanic a mart for his workmanship, and employing many respectable persons in business, whom circumstances might prevent from keeping large establishments. Communicating with the Promenade is a commodious suite of apartments, comprising Ball, Supper, and Card Rooms, which are open three even- ings in the week as a Promenade, on which occasions a military band attends, with a company of vocalists for duets, glees, &c. Adjoining these is an extensive gallery, which is occupied a limited period in the year for the works of Irish artists in painting, archi- tecture, sculpture, &e. &c. and in another part of the building is the Sans Pareil Theatre, which is generally occupied by some amusing exhibition. An extensive Ho- tel and Coffee-Room are also attached to the concern. The purchase and building cost 16,000/. and the whole was accomplished by a private individual, Mr. Home, who, though engaged in pursuits totally distinct from architecture, was the sole projector of this very handsome edifice. FINE ARTS. The annual display of Arts exhibited at Somerset House, London ; the great fund established by the profits ; the many private collections of modern works, formed by the first connoisseurs even of the Old School , with the liberal prices given to painters of 304 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. the present day, all combine to place the Fine Arts in a high state of elevation in England. When we turn our eyes on this country, it is melan- choly to observe how low the Arts have fallen. — Owing to the want of taste and encouragement, though there are many painters of merit, there is no existing Society of Artists in Dublin, and many have been compelled to seek for support in other occupations, tired out and disgusted with repeated efforts unrewarded. Earl Talbot, with a feeling and zeal that do honor to his rank and station, has caused an enquiry to be made into this neglected department, and the result has been, he has sat for his portrait, a whole length , to one painter, (Thompson) and has bespoken a painting from another on a National subject ; and further he has given hopes of procuring a charter to establish a So- ciety on the plan of the Royal Academy, London. Should this desireable object be accomplished, our Artists will be united together on a permanent plan. Exhibitions will revive; and if true taste or feeling exist in the country, our connoisseurs must follow the ex- ample of England, and learn to value modern pro- ductions. Mr. Herbert, Portrait Painter, has a Picture Gallery at No. 2, Exchange Court, which is accessible to visitors at all times without charge. The pictures are for sale, and comprize specimens of the following great masters, viz. Rubens , N. and G. Poussin, Claude Lor- raine , Salvator Rosa , Velasques , Weenix, Vandyke , Hogarth , Wilson , fyc. At Allen and Sons Exhibition- Room, 32, Dame- street, there are on sale some fine pictures by the old masters, particularly those of the Flemish school. Amongst others are a Landscape by Poussin , a very fine head by Grebber ; an allegorical piece by Scuts ; a sketch of the Taking down from the Cross, by Rembrandt ; and two very fine Battle pieces by Ome- gaunch and Schwychardt. The portrait of his Excel- PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 30 5 iency Earl Talbot, lately painted by a native artist, T. C. Thompson, Esq. has been lately exhibited in this room for the purpose of receiving subscriptions for a print which is about to be engraved. The portrait is a whole length, as large as life, in oil colours, re- presenting his Excellency in his installation robes, as Grand Master of the Order of St. Patrick ; and the taste and judgment evinced in the execution fully prove, that nothing but sufficient encouragement is wanted to bring into public notice the latent talents of our native artists. PRIVATE COLLECTIONS OF PICTURES. Earl of Charlemont , Rutland-square. — Judas returning the 30 pieces of silver, by Rembrandt ; Caesar Borgia, by Titian ; the Lady’s Last Stake, by Hogarth; the Gate of Calais, by do. ; a Dead Christ by A. Carraechi ; a Tint o ret, a fine Borgognone , St. Paul, Vandyke , - ' ’ ■ i ■ ' y \ : i ' ■ -V f 5 *. * ; if ; •••' J i J ' ’,V : jiftEHsii "* v .til • ' ■ ■ K • •• ■:! .. ", floss lU> .■ > ' It ■ r «’j lo v/(4^ *yfi . r y,, r u . ,-Vm;-IhiD • •’ ‘ . : : ' : s : . . . * •; . ; iv*i> v , .r^ : i . v'.i . • V* «' . •• va ‘ < : . v ‘ ■ •* : vh. . • • • • H,>.. . , » . • V - : ;n • •* - ; 1 ^ *’:• U ’? ' . /.■J-i-t :k> ■ > ■ ‘ ■■ - - . ; : >■ - i(\ • , PICTURE OF DUBLIN? 317 village, much frequented in the bathing season, and near it is a charter school for 100 boys. From hence the road sweeps along the north side of the bay, pre- senting to the traveller a beautiful view of a richly wooded country, studded with innumerable villas on the southern shore, while the bellowing of the waves of the Great Bull, just before him, is calculated to till the mind with mingled sensations of awe and admira- tion. Belldoyle, another pleasant bathing village, six miles from Dublin, commands an enchanting prospect of the sea, Howth, Ireland’s Eye, and Lambay ; and about two miles beyond Belldoyle, rises in majestic grandeur the hill of Howth. From hence the family of St. Lawrence take their title. The castle or man- sion of the Earl of Howth is situated on the west side of this stupendous cliff, commanding an extensive view' of the channel. It is a long battlemented struc- ture, flanked by square towers at each extremity, em- bosomed in a dark wood, and in the front is a park, well stocked with deer. In the spacious hall are some curious memorials of this ancient family; amongst others the identical two-handed sword with which Sir Tristram defeated the Danes. The town consists of one street, running along the ridge of the cliff, and irrigated by a beautiful stream of water. It is en- tirely inhabited by fishermen, who are remarkable for their longevity. In the centre of the town, impend- ing over the sea, is a venerable abbey, supposed to have been built by Sittric, the Dane, in 1038. But the matter which will most demand the attention of the visitor is the new harbour constructed at this place. — The first stone of this important work was laid in 1807, and for a considerable period from 500 to 700 men were daily employed- Near Marino, the road leading to Malahide branchep off to the left. Four miles and a half from Dublin is St. Doulough’s church, erected at some period between 318 PICTURE OF DUBLIN". the eighth and eleventh century, in a style of architec- ture different from any at this day to be found in Bri- tain, or the western parts of Europe, It is well worth the attention of the antiquarian. Malaliide lies at the bottom of a deep bay, having at its entrance the islands of Lambay and IrelandV Eye. It was granted to the Talbot family by Henry II. and the castle is a grand Gothic structure, much improved by modern additions. It contains some va- luable pictures, and one apartment is wainscotted with Irish oak, which is divided into compartments, and ornamented with sculptured figures, representing diffe- rent events of the Old and New Testament. Approaching the sea on the south side of theLiffey, the first object we meet is the village of Rings end, once a celebrated bathing-place, but now fallen to de- cay. Near it stands Irish town, which is more fre- quented in the bathing season. Two serpentine wind- ing roads communicate with Ringsend from the Rock- road, from whence there is a passage along the Strand to Old Merrion. Hence the road runs through Boot- erstown and Williamstown to the Black-rock, present- ing a view, both aquatic and rural, scarcely to be sur- passed. The town of Black-rock, which is a pleasant watering place, is tolerably large, and the adjacent villas are extremely elegant. About half-a-mile be- yond the rock is a delightful place called Montpellier, near which stands Monkstown Church, one of the largest and finest country churches in Ireland. Half- a-mile beyond Monkstown is the village of Dunleary, now become an object of peculiar interest from the Asylum Harbour constructing there. To accomplish this great work, Parliament granted the sum of 505,0001. to be raised by certain duties on shipping, and the first stone was laid by Earl Whitworth, on the 31st of May, 1817, About 600 men are employed PICTURE OF DUBLIN. 319 daily, but it must take a considerable time before the work is completed. Dalkey is the last village within the bay of Dublin. It is seven miles from the capital, and stands on the base of a high mountain. Though now a miserable village, it still exhibits proofs of its having been for- merly a place of some importance. For the encou- ragement of foreign trade, it had fairs and markets so early as 1480, and seven strong castles were built to protect the goods. On the sea-coast, near this place, lead mines were formerly worked to some extent. — Opposite these is the Island of Dalkey, whither the inhabitants of Dublin, (until latel/,) were accustomed to resort on a certain day in the year, to elect a mock King and officers of state, which was performed with all due solemnity, and terminated with the utmost conviviality; and the proceedings were afterwards pub- lished in a newspaper called the Dalkey Gazette. — The summit of Killinoy-hill, about a mile from Dal- key, presents one of the grandest marine prospects to be met in any country. Frequent excursions are made during the summer months to those parts of the county of Wicklow, which lie contiguous to Dublin ; its romantic beauties possess- ing attractions of no ordinary kind. The road issues from Charlemont-street, crosses the Grand Canal at Charlemont-bridge, and passes through the pleasant villages of Ranelagh, Miltown, and Dundrum, the latter of which is much resorted to by valetudinarians, for the purpose of drinking goats whey. About eight miles from the Castle of Dublin, at the entrance of the county of Wicklow, stands a singular curiosity called the Scalp, which is a chasm in a mountain, apparently occasioned by some violent con- cussion of nature, though some suppose it to have been effected by the dint of human labour. The rent at 820 PICTURE OP DUBIN the top is very wide, though at the bottom it narrows to the breadth of the road. Two conical hills appear in the distance, called the Sugar Loaves, and about two miles from the Scalp is the village of Enniskerry. In this delightful neighbourhood the eye is charmed with every variety of rural beauty ; hill and valley, water and landscape, the splendid mansion, or tfie neatly ornamented cottage, are to be met in every di- rection, to the almost total exclusion of those objects which excite feelings of compassion or disgust. Be- yond the village is the noble seat of Lord Powers- court, with a demesne of about 600 acres, laid out in the richest variety tff rural scenery. On the opposite side of the river are Charleville, the fine seat of Lord Monck, and the fine lawns and shady woods of Tin- nehincli, the favourite residence of our late revered patriot, the Right Hon* Henry Grattan. The Dar- gle, so justly celebrated, is near Powerscourt, and forms a kind of amphitheatre, encircled by the sides of two lofty mountains thickly wooded. The ap- proach to this scene is singularly grand, and the conti- nued roar of the water through the gloomy forest fills the mind with the most sublime ideas. A short dis- tance from this is the celebrated Waterfall. On the great northern road is the romantic village of Glassnevin, where is situated that magnificent national institution, the Botanic Garden, which occupies the space of 30 English acres, enriched with almost every known species of flowers, trees, plants, and vegetables, properly classed, and a variety of curious exotics are preserved in glass cases** The beauty of the situation • The gardens are laid out in the following order : 1st, a Hortus Linnaeensis ; 2d, the cattle garden; 3d, the hay garden; 4th, the esculent garden ; 5th, the dyer’s garden ; 6th, the rock plants ; 7th, the creepers and climbers ; 8th, the bog and water plants ; 9th, the marine plants ; 10th, variegations of trees, shrubs, and herbs ; 1 Jth, the nursery ; 12th, a medical garden. — Lectures are delivered here on botany, agriculture, and the useful arts. PICTURE OF DUBLin. 321 cannot be excelled, and the vicinity may be truly called classic ground, having been once the residence of Addison, Tickel, Swift, Delany, Sheridan, Steele, and Parnell. On the north-west are Castleknock and Dunsink, wire re an Observatory has been founded in pursuance of the will of Doctor Francis Andrews, Provost of Tri- nity College, who died in 1774. The situation and circumstances of this Observatory are considered as pre- ferable to most of those in other countries. The Phoenix-park, situated south-west of the capital, contains 1086 acres, Irish plantation mea- sure, and in circumference measures 5 \ Irish miles. — It formerly belonged to the Knights Templars; but being surrendered to the crown, it was converted into a deer-park in the reign of Elizabeth. The park is beautifully diversified with woodland, champaign and rising ground, embellished with extensive sheets of water, and plentifully stocked with deer. It contains the Viceregal Lodge, which, since the improvements made by Earl Hardwick, the Duke of Richmond and Lord Whitworth, has become a residence befitting a Viceroy ; the houses of the Ranger and Principal Secre- tary, the Powder Magazine, the Hibernian School, Royal Infirmary, and a fine plain called the Fifteen Acres, where the troops in garrison are exercised. About the centre of the park is a fluted column, thirty feet high, with a Phoenix on the capital, which was erected by the Earl of Chesterfield during his Vice- royalty. Beyond the park the road leads to Chapelizod, a populous village, Palmerstown, (where is the seat of the Earl of Donoughmore,) and Lucan, celebrated for its sulphureous and chalybeate spa, which is much resorted. A little further on is Leixlip, famous for 322 PICTURE OP DUBLIN. its waterfall, called the Salmon-Leap : about half a mile farther is the stupendous aqueduct-bridge of the Royal Canal carried over the river Rye, and a deep valley of great extent, 85 feet above the river. To the right of this is Castletown, the magnificent seat of Lady Louisa Conolly. Within a mile of Maynooth, where the Roman Catholic College is situated, is Carton-House, the superb mansion of the Duke of Leinster. South of the city the villages of Ratlimines and Rathfarnham present innumerable attractions ; near the former are the ruins of Baggotrath Castle, cele- brated in the military history of this country; and near the latter some fine seats and curious remains of antiquity. This short sketch can give but a faint idea of the many rural beauties which surround the Irish metropolis on almost every side. APPENDIX PUBLIC BUILDINGS & OFFICES. Accountant General’s Office, Court of Exchequer, Inns-quay . Account Office, Foster-place. Adjutant’Gen. Office, Royal-hos. Advocate-General’s Office, Meek - lenburghst. Admiralty-court, Inns-quay. Apothecaries-hail, 34, Mary-st Army Account Office, Meirion-st. Army Medical Board, 5 , Parlia- ment-st. Assembly Rooms, Rutland-sq. Bank of Ireland, College-green. Ballast-Office, 21, Westmorl.-st. Barracks, Dublin , Barrack street. Office, Up. Merrion-st. Baths, lemple-st ^*13, Crane-l, Board of Works, 5, N. Cope-st. Canal-house, Grand, 60, Wm.-st Royal, N. Dominicks , Chancery Office, Inns-quay. City -basins, Blesingt on-street, Jamss's-stfy Portobello. City Law Agent’s office, 5, An ■ drew-st. Commercial-buildings, Dame-st. Commissary General’s Office, 3, Palace-street . Common-pleas Office, Inns-quay Compensation-board, Merrion-st. Consistorial Office, 107, Ste- phens-green. Coro Exchange, Burgh-quay. Crt. of Conscience, Coppinger's-r, • Throughout the article on this subject (see page 207) this has, by mistake, been spelled “ Feinaglian”, instead of “ Feinaiglian.” Crown .-$ M'Ardle (Henry) 41, Exchequers M‘ Donald, (Cath.) 4, Dominick-s M‘Evoy (Wm.) 5, Kildar e-street. M'Kenna(John) 19, Sackville-st* Meikle (James) 20, Aungier-st. Mitchel (Denis) 31, Bridge-st. Morrison (Arthur) I, Dawson-st. O’Dienne (Peter) 19, up. Sack st. Ralph (Andvv.) 60, Gt.Britainst. Ryan (Mart.) 154, Gt.Britainst. Ryland (Wm.) 45, up. Sack-st . Stubbs, (Edw.) 9, Usher’s-quay. Teeling (Jos.) 47, King-street, N. Tuthill (William) 51, Dawsonst , Wilson (Sarah) 97, Capel-street . APPENDIX. 335 DIVINE SERVICE in the CHURCHES in DUBLIN. Early Divine Service . St. Andrew’s, at 7 in Summer, and 8 in Winter. Sacrament, last Sunday in the Month. St. Anne’s, at 8. Sacrament, third Sunday in the Month. St. Bridget’s, at 8. Sacrament, third Sunday in the Month ; also on Easter Day, Whitsunday, and Christmas Morning. St. Catherine’s, at 8. Sacrament, third Sunday in the Month. St. Kevin’s, at 8. Sacrament, the first Sunday in the Month. St. Werburgh’s, at 7 in Summer, and 8 in Winter, Prayers and Sermon. Sacrament, second Sunday in the Month. St. Mary’s, at half-past 8. Sacrament, at 7 on Sunday before Christmas, 1st Sunday in Lent, Sunday before Easter and Whitsun- tide, 1st Sunday in August, and 1st Sunday in October. St. Peter’s, at 8. Sacrament, first Sunday in the Month. St. Thomas’s, at 8. Sacrament, third Sunday in the Month, also on all the Festivals at early Service. Monthly Divine Service . St. James’s, First Sunday - St. Audeon’s, third Sunday in the Month ; Prayers, Sermon, and Sacrament at 8. Quarterly Divine Service. St. Michan’s,< the last Sunday in March, June, September, and December ; Prayers, Sermon, and Sacrament, at 6. Weekly Lectures. At St. John’s, Prayers and Sermon every Friday Morning at 11. St. Mary’s, Ramsay’s Lecture every Friday morning at half- past 11. St. Werburgh’s, Southwell’s Lecture every second Wednesday evening at 6 ; Sterne’s Catechetical Lecture, from Easter to Michael- mas, at 11, on Mondays at St. Werburgh’s, and on Tuesdays at St. Nicholas Without. The Holy Sacrament administered Monthly , viz. First Sunday at St. Anne’s, St. Audeon’s, St. Bridget’s, St. Cathe- rine’s, Christ Church, St. Luke’s, St. Michan’s, St. Nicholas Within, St. Nicholas Without, and St. Thomas’s. —Second Sunday at St. Andrew’s, St. Mary’s, and St. Michael's.— Third Sunday at St. James’s, St. Paul’s, and St. Peter’s. — Fourth Sunday at St. John’s. — Last Sunday at St. Mark’s and St Werburgh’s.— On every Sunday at St. Patrick's Cathedral, where service commences at 11 o’clock. Christ* Church. Choral Service is celebrated twice every day, at 1 1 in the morn- ing, and at 3 in the Afternoon. On Sundays, Morning Service, at a quarter after eleven. St. Patrick’s. Choral Service at Three o’clock, every Sunday. The general hour of mid-day service on Sunday, at the Parish Churches, is 12 o’clock. 336 APPENDIX, GENERAL ABSTRACT Of Religious, Useful, and Charitable Institutions, in the City of Dublin. 38 Churches and Chapels in connection with the National Esta- blishment. 19 Meeting-houses for Protestant Dissenters. 25 Roman Catholic Chapels, Friaries, and Nunneries. 14 Associations for the Diffusion of Religious Knowledge. 190 Schools for Gratuitous Education. 12 Charitable Associations. 9 Institutions for the Reformation of Manners. 70 Asylums for Aged, Diseased, and Destitute. 1 University. 8 Societies for the Promotion of Science and Literature. 3 Public Libraries. 4 Institutions for the Improvement of the City. 393 PUBLIC EDIFICES. 82 Connected with Religion. 8 14 the Municipal Government. 2 — ... the Law. 7 — Trade, Commerce, and Manufactures. 10 35 rish Alms-Houses.) 5 Public Squares. 8 Bridges. 6 Poblic Statues and Monuments. 5 Places appropriated to Public Amusements. 132 FINIS. k / /