320 Croagh Patrick. 



with such disproportionate numbers, it was ge- 

 nerally supposed the defection of the army would 

 have been such as to ensure complete triumph 

 to the cause j and this led many to embark in 

 the enterprise who would not otherwise have 



been engaged in it. 



. ,, ~ 



After a long and wearisome journey we at 

 length reached the top of the hill, overlooking 

 Castlebar and the extensive plain in which it is 

 situated. Croagh Patrick, a mountain two thou- 

 sand six hundred and sixty feet in height, is a 

 commanding object. We had travelled from 

 Belleek through a thinly-peopled poor district, 

 but as we approached Castlebar the country im- 

 proved. The town is of some size ; the streets 

 regular, and containing a number of respectable 

 houses. Land near the town lets for five pounds 

 sterling an acre. Strata of limestone appear 

 where the bog does not intervene. 



o*'?Uil 



Our companion pointed out to us the scene 

 of action between the French and our troops, 

 with several anecdotes which were by no means 

 uninteresting. The latter part of our journey 

 had been wet, and soon after our arrival the 

 rain fell in torrents. The inn was crowded, 

 and our situation far from comfortable. We 



