XIV MEMOIR OF THE LATE 



Scenes which were at that time known but to a few of our countrymen, 

 and those belonging to the wealthier classes, are now visited annually by 

 thousands, and are more familiar to tourists than many parts of these 

 kingdoms. 



During Mr. Thompson's tour, which occujned four months, he was 

 daily in the habit of noting down the leading incidents of his journey. 

 These memoranda are occasionally copious, but in general they are very 

 concise. They bear intrinsic evidence of being written on the spur of the 

 moment, and do not embody in a narrative form the details of personal 

 adventure and dialogue, nor discussions on habits and manners, remains 

 of antiquity, nor works of art. 



From some interlineations obviously added at a later date, it would, 

 appear probable that the author had intended at some future period 

 transcribing into a more regular and extended form the rough notes of 

 his original diary. If such was his intention, it was never fulfilled. To 

 him the hurried jottings of the note-book would have been replete with 

 meaning, rich in pleasant memories and bright associations. To others 

 they are little more than a list of places and objects — sketches of scenery 

 enjoyed — an enumeration of paintings visited — and occasionally a brief 

 phrase expressive of admiration and delight. 



We have read this journal with much interest, not for the sake of any 

 information which it contains respecting the localities visited, but because 

 of the manifestations it affords of the mental characteristics of the author. 

 It furnishes examples of the habits of obsei'vation and the modes of thought 

 by which he was afterwards distinguished. To those who knew him well, 

 it likewise evinces his quiet humour, his appreciation of art, and the 

 spring of poetic feeling which throughout life was ever weUing up, amidst 

 all his devotion to science. 



But Avhile the journal presents these attractions to the members of the 

 family circle and a few attached and intimate friends, it did not seem to 

 be such as would warrant publication. As a guide-book it is out of date, 

 and the facts which it contains have been told by a huncU'ed other writers. 

 We felt convinced also that no one would have shrunk more sensitively 

 than Mr. Thompson himself, from the idea of giving to the public the 

 crude and hasty notes jotted down by him more than a quarter of a century 

 ago. The first and the concluding paragraphs may, however, be given, as 

 embodying the dates both of his departure from Belfast and his return. 



" I commence this journal with the idea, that in after years I will read 

 it over, and think upon it, as on a lovely di'eam never to be realized. 



" On Sunday raoi-ning at nine o'clock, 21st May, 1826, left Belfast in 

 the Chieftain S. P. for Liverpool. Sailing doAvn the Lough, the shore on 

 every side looked as beautiful as a fine summer day could make it, and 

 when opposite Donaghadee the waters assumed the most glassy smooth- 

 ness I ever witnessed. Our vessel stopped here to land a party of plea- 

 sure ; all the boats of the town, that Avere scattered around us, in an in- 

 stant ceased their motion, and nothing was heard in the intervals of our 

 music ceasing, but ' the light drip of the suspended oar.' The waters lay 

 calm and motionless as the sky above them, so that we could neither dis- 

 tinguish where the one terminated, nor where the other commenced, 

 which made the vessels at a distance apjjear as if suspended in air." 



The journal concludes thus : — 



" 20th September. — At three we set sail from Liverpool in the Chief- 

 tain, and after a delightful passage occupying seventeen hours, landed 

 upon ' mine own, my native land,' about eight o'clock, on Thursday, 21st 



