Fortifying Derry and Coleraine. 223 



In the rebellion of 1606, it was surprised; and 

 Sir George Powlett, the governor, was murdered 

 with his whole garrison. Three years afterwards. 

 King James the First granted to the companies 

 of the city of London land to the amount of 

 two hundred and ten thousand acres, on condi- 

 tion of their fortifying Derry and Coleraine ; 

 from which circumstance the former takes its 

 present name of Londonderry. The view of it 

 from the opposite side of the Foyle is very 

 grand, covering as it does the steep bank rising 

 from this noble expanse of water. The cathe- 

 dral, occupying the summit of the hill, is a com-, 

 manding object; and few towns I have ever 

 seen can boast a more beautiful situation. 



The bridge of wood over the river is one thou- 

 sand and eighty feet in length, and is said to 

 have cost in its construction upwards of eleven 

 thousand pounds. The banks of the Foyle are 

 very bold, both above and below the town, and 

 are ornamented by many handsome residences. 



Ships of six hundred tons burden, on spring 

 tides, can load or unload their cargoes at the 

 quays. The appearance which the houses 

 make, with the regularity of the streets (though 

 the acclivity renders the access to the upper 

 town somewhat inconvenient), and their clean- 



