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castle on an eminence. Here is shewn what is called the “ Bed of 
St. Coemhan,” much famed for its miraculous cures, through the 
mediation of the Saint, of infirm persons, particularly the lame and 
blind. On this island, towards the east, is a deep lake, about a 
quarter of a mile in circumference, surrounded on all sides, except 
at the east, by a rock of considerable height. It is open at the side 
next to the sea, from which it is only about forty perches distant. This 
lake could be converted into an excellent harbour, by cutting across 
these forty perches, which happen to be composed solely of loose 
craig. 
Contiguous to Aran are three small islands, two of them about eight 
acres in extent, and for the greater part pasturage; the third is a 
barren. rock, containing about two acres, and producing a great 
quantity of excellent sea weed. 
These several islands are the estate of Mr. Digby, as has been al- 
ready mentioned. This gentleman is considered one of the best of 
landlords. He allows annually 20 guineas to school houses, for the 
instruction of orphans; and £20 annually for clothing the poor, 
with other pecuniary donations, His annual rental, on the islands, 
is £2700. Mr. Thomson, his agent, visits them twice a year, 
not only to receive rents, but to adjust all differences, The quit 
and crown rent of the isles is £14. 17s. O3d. 
I have already glanced at the character of the people, and have 
stated, that in language, habits, and customs, they retain, beyond 
comparison, more of the primitive Celtic character than any of the 
cotemporary tribes of that stock, at least, in this kingdom. Seques- 
tered and almost unmixed as the Aranites have been for a long: 
succession of generations, history has always considered them as 
full of that ancient spirit, which has been elsewhere made to disap- 
pear by the force of revolutionary and colonial innovations. To de- 
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