o<\ ^ummex Session. ^ 



■>i*- 



The fo //owing' Excursions were made during the Summer Session: 



On 22nd May, to 



DOWNPATRICK. 



The first excursion of the season was taken on Saturday, 

 22nd May, and a numerous party, precisely at noon, alighted 

 upon the platform of the railway station of that interesting 

 town — Downpatrick. Here they were met by the Rev. David 

 Gordon, who very kindly acted as guide, and came prepared to 

 show the " lions " of the ancient capital of Down, whose merits 

 did not in the least suffer in the reverend gentleman's handling of 

 them. After climbing the steep street that leads to the cathe- 

 dral, its massive east front comes into view, standing out well, 

 with its encircling trees, upon the summit of the hill. Before 

 entering the building a visit was paid to the reputed site of St. 

 Patrick's grave, marked solely by the small hole, constantly re- 

 filled, from which the faithful as constantly remove handfuls of 

 the gravel, valued not merely as a memento of the departed 

 saint, but as being of more or less benefit to mind and body 

 through all the vicissitudes that mortal flesh is heir to. It 



