Cromwell's Description of the Country. 359 



bay, after which we found ourselves on a most 

 extensive flat, the greater part of which was 

 pasture enclosed by stone fences, without the 

 appearance of either tree or shrub. Several 

 castellated towers, but apparently of no great 

 size, were observed as we passed on our way. 

 Cromwell's description of this country is very 

 characteristic " That it had not sufficient 

 wood to hang a man water to drown him or 

 earth to bury him/' The pastures, from a long 

 continuance of dry weather, an evil with which 

 the country is seldom afflicted, had put on an 

 unusual dingy appearance. Scarcely a human 

 habitation was to be seen. At the extremity 

 of the plain the ground rises ; and after gaining 

 the top of the ascent, we were agreeably 

 surprised by entering on another plain, ex- 

 tremely fertile, richly cropped, and thickly in- 

 habited. 



Mr. O'Hara's seat has extensive plantations. 

 The general style of the cultivation was good 

 and well conducted; the fallows were better 

 ploughed, than any which we had yet seen. 

 Adjoining to this place is Croft Lodge, belong- 

 ing to Mr. Gregory. Much was done here by 

 the father of the present possessor ; the woods 

 are getting up, and the face of the country is 

 so improved as to be entirely changed in its ap- 



