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houses, and green-houses, containing a choice collection of plants, 

 all in the best of order. 



The company brought the day's outing to a close by partaking 

 of tea at Lislear Fort, on which a neat little tea-house has been 

 erected for the members of the family, and here Lady Alexandra 

 Hamilton and Lord Claud Hamilton joined them. Before they 

 took leave of their noble host, Mr Laird proposed a vote of thanks 

 to his Grace's factor, Mr Bell, for the part he had played in their 

 pleasant and profitable day. Mr Bell having replied, and three 

 cheers having been given for the Duchess of Abercorn, the party 

 bade adieu to Baronscourt, and drove back to Newtown-Stewart. 



Third Day— Castlewellan. 



From a practical point of view, the greatest treat was reserved 

 for the closing day of the Excursion, when the members of the 

 Society returned to County Down on a visit to Castlewellan, the 

 far-famed seat of the Earl of Annesley, and another of those rich 

 demesnes with which Ireland abounds. The gardens contain 

 perhaps the finest collection of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous 

 plants that is to be found in the kingdom, and afford a refreshing 

 glimpse of the choicest forms of vegetable life in all their varied 

 beauty and grandeur. The grounds are famous for their wealth 

 of rare trees and shrubs, which are cultivated in the open air with 

 remarkable success, and are full of interest alike to the forester, 

 the horticulturist, and the botanist. 



Lord Annesley has always been a great lover of plants ; 

 since he left the army he has devoted himself to his favourite 

 pursuit, and from a wide field of travel has brought together a 

 unique collection, containing much that is prized by the student 

 of botany. He has carried out in an ample degree Sir Walter 

 Scott's maxim, which he prints in front of the Castlewellan plant 

 catalogue : " There is no art or occupation comparable to planting : 

 it is full of past, present, and future enjoyment." It would be 

 hard to say whether his lordship or Lady Annesley is the greater 

 enthusiast in all that pertains to forestry and horticulture, or 

 which of them takes the keener interest and pleasure in the 

 personal supervision of their rich possessions ; but certain it is 

 that her ladyship has a thorough knowledge of the science of 

 botany, is well versed in the nomenclature of plants, and is ready 

 and able to discuss with experts any point on which a practical 

 question might arise. 



