Our Visit to Holy Island in 1854, by Dr. Johnston. 45 



cormorant fishing, and several pairs of eider ducks and 

 drakes. Turning inland, we visited the Lough, alive, as 

 usual, with the coot. Hence home. Saw the cutter get 

 under weigh, and were ourselves glad to get to our haven. 



28th. Rained heavily, and we were confined to the house 

 until evening, when we took our favourite walk — for the 

 last time ; and it was less beautiful than on any previous 

 occasion, for the light did not accord so well with the 

 scenery, and the state of the atmosphere had not suited the 

 birds, of which very few were abroad. We found that all 

 our little merchant fleet had sailed, with the exception of 

 one sloop. A lugger-rigged boat had arrived — so that there 

 is here a commerce. 

 - 29th. Immediately after breakfast, we hastened to the 

 Coves, in the hope that the tide would permit "a long search 

 in the bay they look across. We were deceived in this, and 

 were forced to leave at noon. It was as well. Extricating 

 ourselves — no easy task — from the rough shore, we gained 

 the bank, and had scarcely done so when the rain, which 

 had been falling sometime, fell heavier and faster, accom- 

 panied with a bright flash of lightning and a loud peal of 

 thunder. This made us hasten home. While Catharine 

 sketched the Coves, I sought out the productions that grew 

 on the flat in front, but found no new Algse. Two specimens 

 of Eolis coronata and one of Doris bilamellata, of a darker 

 colour than usual, occurred, and were duly admired — the 

 Eolis being amongst the most beautiful of sea animals. I 

 found two or three specimens of the spotted blenny under 

 almost every stone ; it is a sluggish fish, and is ever seeking 

 to hide itself. The five-bearded rockling also occurred. 



30th. We bid farewell to the island and islanders, who, 

 alas ! have fallen on evil days ; but the memory of the past 

 does not disturb their present happiness, for, I believe, not 

 one individual on it has any knowledge of what the island 

 has been. 



[The ancient Parish Church of Holy Island had been 

 allowed to fall into a lamentable state of decay, and its 

 beautiful chancel was cut off from the Church and unused. 

 In September, 1859, a meeting of the churchwardens and 

 parishioners was held, at which it was resolved to restore 

 their Church. A committee was nominated, and £1200 

 were collected and expended upon the edifice. The 

 parishioners voted a church rate of 2d. in the pound towards 



