242 D E R R Y. 



October 3d, taking my leave of Johnftown 

 and its agreeable and hofpitable family, I took 

 the road towards Derry, the feat of Michael 

 Head, Efq; through a country much of it bor- 

 dering on the Shannon, and commanding 

 many fine views of that river j but its naked- 

 nefs, except at particular places, takes off much 

 from the beauty of the fcenery. Near to Derry 

 there' are fome finer views. From one hill, the 

 road commands the bay of SkerifF, Loch Derg, 

 back to Johnftown j and the river turning un- 

 der the hills of Achnis, a promontory of wood, 

 which feparates them, is fully feen : there are 

 alfo many hedges, fo well grown with fcatter- 

 ed trees on the higher fide as to have a pleafing 

 effe6t. I found Mr. Head, on my arrival, juft 

 going to dine with a neighbour, Mr. Parker, 

 whole father had worked a very fine mountain 

 improvement, and who would probably be 

 there : this was a fufficient inducement, had 

 there been no other, for me to accompany 

 him. I found Mr. Parker's houfe fo near the 

 river, as focnetimes to be wafhed by it. The 

 improvement I had heard of is a hill of above 

 40 acres, w,hich was covered with ling, furze, 

 &c. and not worth 6d. an acre thirty-two 

 years ago when the work was begun. He 

 grubbed, ploughed it, and fowed oats, and 

 marled the ftubble from the Shannon j the 

 marie, from the fteepnefs of the hill, being 

 carried on the backs of oxen. Upon this -he 

 took a crop of wheat, and another of oats, 

 both exceedingly fine, and with the latter fow- 

 ed the feeds for the grafs, which ftill remains, 



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