6 Guide to Belfast. 



with the Port and Harbour Trust, have their offices in a 

 handsome and commodious building, situated near the 

 Clarendon Dock. 



The Custom House and Inland Revenue Office is 

 a substantial building facing the quay, at the foot of High 

 Street. On the esplanade in front are two forty-six pounder 

 Russian guns from Sevastopol. 



CUSTOM HOUSE. 



The first great stimulus to the trade of the port was given 

 by Lord-Deputy Wentworth in 1637, who purchased from 

 the Corporation of Carrickfergus, then the chief town of 

 Ulster, the right of importing certain commodities at one- 

 third of the duties payable at other places. 



HISTORY OF BELFAST. 



" J~) elfast as a town has no ancient history," and does 

 V\ not lay claim to a remote origin like so many 

 towns in Ireland. Its record is simply one of 

 industrial progress, dating no farther back than the time 

 of James I. In later times, however, it has been remarkable 

 alike for its rapid growth in area and population, no less 

 than for the commercial enterprise and intelligence of its 

 citizens. As the capital of the Province of Ulster, and 



