Beautiful Approach to Belfast. 117 



we shortened our distance from the town. Here 

 the diffusion of wealth became manifested by 

 the numerous detached residences which pre- 

 sented themselves, highly ornamented by the 

 taste of those whose industry and ability had 

 provided the means, and entitled them to the 

 luxury of country exercises, as a relaxation 

 from the counting-house the cares and per- 

 plexities of mercantile vocations. A more pic- 

 turesque or delightful situation could hardly 

 have been chosen or scarcely imagined ; uniting 

 in one view great natural sublimity with a pro* 

 fusion of artificial beauty. The scenery was so 

 impressive as frequently to arrest our attention 

 so as to stop our progress. The rich margin 

 that borders the bay of Belfast, while washed 

 by the waters of the spacious Lough, and 

 bounded by the lofty coast of Antrim, was de- 

 corated by villas, and all that opulence could 

 devise ; and as the eye travelled upwards it be- 

 came gratified with the sight of cultivation ad- 

 vancing to the summit of the hills, whose 

 sloping sides were studded with the white- 

 washed cabins of those for whom humanity 

 with a sigh supplicated a competence. The 

 beauty of the landscape we were contemplating 

 was made complete by a view of the noble 

 town of Belfast, occupying a considerable ex- 

 tent at the head of the bay, and overlooked by 



