and harvest being both considerably advanced. In support of this opinion may be adduced the extending and successful cultivation of wheat, and the increased number of quails, a bird now compara tively abundant. However, though the circumstance of a recent improvement in this respect may be probable, it would be rash to pronounce it, on the present evidence, permanent. "In the Annals of Derry, by Mr. Gillespie, two remarkable frosts are recorded. The first was in 1740, when the river was frozen over, and an ox roasted on the ice, opposite to the Ship Quay. The other was in 1814, when the ice on the river was so strong, that carriages were driven over it in several places, and on the 6th of February a part of the bridge was carried away by masses of ice, floated down the river by the ebb tides and a very high wind; and when it is recollected that such unusual and impressive events are more likely to dwell on the memory than the more simple and unobtrusive fact of a peculiarly mild and genial season, it may be reasonably doubt ed whether the change alluded to is more than a periodical return of warm seasons alternating with those of severe and rigorous cold. 46 There are similar instances of hard frost, and other variations of weather, recorded in the earlier annals of the dis trict, which, however, are not so immediately connected with the parish as to claim notice here. The most remarkable circumstance bearing on the subject was a meteoric appearance, which accompanied the death of bishop Murry O'Coffy, in 1173." This description which is preceded by a well-executed geological map of the parish of Templemore, is followed by as minute and precise a statement of its geological characters; including, of course, the most interesting information as to the structure of the sur face of country, the nature and changes of its soil, &c. One further extract we must make for the interesting light it throws upon the subject of the formation of bogs.* "In all such cases the process may be thus stated:-A shallow pool induced and favoured the vegetation of aquatic borders towards the deeper centre. Mud plants, which gradually crept in from the accumulated round their roots and stalks, and a spongy semi-fluid mass, was thus formed, well fitted for the growth of moss, which now, especially sphagnum, began to luxuriate. This, absorbing a large quantity of water, and continuing to shoot out new plants above, while the old were decaying, rotting, and compressing into a solid substance below, gradually replaced the water by a mass of vegetable matter. In this manner the marsh might be filled up, while the central or moister portion continuing to excite a more rapid growth of the moss, it would be gradually raised above the edges, until the whole surface had attained an elevation sufficient to discharge the surface water by existing channels of drainage, and calculated by its slope to facilitate their passage, when a limit would be in some degree set to its further increase. Springs existing under the bog, or in its immediate vicinity, might, indeed, still favour its growth, though in a decreasing ratio; and hereif the water proceeding from them were so obstructed as to accumulate at its base, and to keep it in a rotten fluid statethe surface of the bog might be ultimately so raised, and its continuity below so totally destroyed, at to cause it to flow over the retaining obstacle, and flood the adjacent country. In mountain districts the progress of the phenomenon is similar. Pools, indeed, cannot in so many instances be formed, the steep slopes facilitating drainage; but the clouds and mists, resting on the summits and sides of mountains, am The bogs of Ireland have recently attracted the attention of the legislatureand of late years become the object of both wise and beneficent speculation to private gentlemen in different districts; we have ourselves witnessed the young growth of a splendid demesne covering the bogs near Ballinlough; and a respectable population gradually superseding the snipes and grouse over the same extensive district--under the humane as well as enlightened protection of Mr. Wills and Lord Mount Sandford, whose estates run side by side through this moorland wilderness; both under the able management of Mr. Young. Some very important rules for the location of tenantry are skingly illustrated by the contrast apparent between these and some of the nenbouring tracts. eac VOL. VI. 2 A ply supplying their surface with moisture, which comes, too, in the most favourable form for vegetation, not in a sudden torrent, but unceasingly and gently, drop by drop. The extent of such bogs is also affected by the nature of the rock below them. On quartz they are shallow and small; on any rock, yielding by its decomposition a clayey coating, they are considerable the thickness of the bog, for example, on Knocklaid, in the county of Antrim, which is 1685 feet high, being near 12 feet. The summit bogs of high mountains are distinguishable from those of lower levels by the total absence of large trees. The general phenomena of the growth of bog having been explained, as clearly as the subject at present admits, it is necessary to describe in detail the remarkable fact, that successive layers of trees, (or stumps) in the erect position, and furnished with all their roots, are found at distinctly different levels, and at a small vertical distance from each other a fact which has been noticed by Mr. Aher, and may be verified in the bogs of Mullennan, Shantallow, and Ballymagrorty. On entering into this inquiry, it is necessary to premise, that the firs found in bogs are Scotch firs, which, from numerous experiments, are now known to grow and flourish when planted in bogs. Walworth Wood, near Ballykelly, is an example-the trees having there grown for many years, and attained a large size under similar circum stances. 66 Reverting now to the preceding remarks, it appears that the consolidation of the lower portion of the turf was a necessary preparation for the first growth of timber; and-considering the huge size of the roots thrown out by these trees, and the extent of space over which they spread-the mode is readily perceived by which they obtained a basis of support sufficiently firm and extensive to uphold their rising and increasing stems. The first layer of turf was now matted by the roots, and covered by the trunks of the first growth of timber; but as the bog still continued to vegetate, and to accumulate round the growing stem, a new layer of turf was created, to support a second growth of timber, the roots of which passed over those of the preceding, and so on with a third or more, until at length the singular spectacle was presented of several stages of trees growing at the same time. Such seems a natural way of viewing the sub ject; but it is often stated that one stump is found actually on the top of another, which would imply that the lower tree had been destroyed before the turf had ascended to the level of the broken stump. In such an instance, using Mr. Griffith's example of the rate of increase of recent bog, and supposing it compressed by growth into one-fifth of its original bulk, little more than one hundred years would have elapsed between the two periods. However, as but one decided example has come under actual observation in this parish, though many are spoken of by the country people, it is more probable that the evident superposition of roots, and the difference of level, have in many cases led to the idea of one tree being actually over the other-a phenomenon which, even when it does occur, is easily explained by the decay of some of the older trees in the progress of successive growth already explained. This effect is to be naturally expected as the consequence of age, and equally so of the accumulation of turf over the roots and stumps, tending to facilitate the separation of the trunk, by forwarding its decay at the point of junction with the stump. It is, indeed, remarkable that, in the lower and larger stumps, this separation of the trunk appears to have taken place close to the stump, which exhibits a jagged edge around its circumference, whilst in the trees of the higher stratum there is usually a considerable portion of trunk attached to the stump, the tops of the trunks frequently rising above the surface. The example of tree existing above tree, already referred to, is singular, inasmuch, as the lower one is a prostrate stem; but it is necessary to bear in mind, that as the progress of the growth of bog commences at the edges of the pools, or marshes, trees might have there grown, fallen, and sunk, before the internal parts had been filled and consolidated; and, also, that the great weight of some of these trees may have sunk them deeper in the bog than they had stood when first beginning to grow. A very interesting experiment, by Professor Linley, is detailed in the 17th part of the Fossil Flora,' from which it appears that the Coniferæ are amongst the very few dicotyledonous plants, which, when dead, resist the action of water: the experiment, however, was continued only through two years, and it may be doubted wi.ether, as a rule, it would apply to the living tree. Combining all these phenomena together, the mind is irresistibly led to contemplate that ancient condition of the parish, when its hills looked over an extent of marsh and morass, where waved a noble forest of lofty firs, the deep green foliage of which was only here and there broken and enlivened by clustering oaks." The Botany and Zoology which come next in this section, we are forced to pass they are equally indicative of patient investigation, and skilful ar rangement. We must not omit to mention that any thing capable of such illustration is accompanied here as throughout with plates which do much credit to this work. From the natural state in the first section we are led to the social or artificial state in the second. This is conveniently divided into its history and actual state, which are further subdivided according to the divisions of these several subjects. The history of Derry is with peculiar felicity of classification divided into that before and after the reign of Elizabeth-a period from which the facts of the history of this country undergo much change as to value if not as to authenticiy. This section has been drawn up by Mr. Petrie, whose authority as the historian of Ireland, has been so variously approved, and is so generally known that it would be a waste of time and words to dwell upon the propriety of of Col. Colby's selection of him to this essential part of his plan. In the various discussions which we have heard on the subject of a statistical work like this--we have often heard it either questioned or endeavoured to be proved-that the history and antiquities of the country must form an indispensible portion of its matter. We must be allowed to repeat some observations which we have already had occasion to express upon the subject. present separated from the past can throw no light upon the future; it ceases to be knowledge. The existence of all known things is transitory, and the existence of states and forms of civil existence, is like human life itself, a state of change. The very present can only be rightly seen through the medium of comparison, and is more justly seen as this is more extended. The most important knowledge of the statesman is that by which he is enabled to perceive the progress alone that the operations of causes of human events, as it is by tendency of national existence is to be analyzed can be justly estimated. The growth effect of every institution can only be in tracing the progress of events-the weighed by looking on the page of history previous to its existence, and following downward from its immediate tion with subsequent causes weighed in causes and first effects, to its combinathe same balance. We cannot For this reason the record of such facts cannot be too minute--neither can they be in any case appreciated by their seeming value. know too much of the social history of man, when it is recollected that the social state is the ultimate object of all well-directed economics. will be more largely participated by It is with a feeling of pleasure, which the community, that we point out the unquestionable fact, that the history of Ireland, which, till of late, has been a field of grave and dull fiction, and chimerical conjecture, the plaything of the antiquarian, and the mock of history-will find its place here, in the tangible garb of date, name and place, authenticated by rigid local inquiry, and uncorrupted by the preconceptions of any system. The history of every district, if it shall be drawn up like that of Derry from the most extensive and minute collation of records and authorities, If the local history of a country and from the most industrious sifting of were to have no other connection with all local sources of information, must, Statistics in general, but that of being it is apparent, gradually become all best collected by the same instruments that is required of the available history of research--it would be a fully suf- of the whole country; and furnish the ficient reason for its being included— fullest and most trusty materials for pon its importance as a part of know- the purpose of the general historian. ledge e need not write a word. But it frms in fact one of the most essential acents of all rational statistics. The It would be a task of exceeding dif ficulty to make such selections as might present any just notion of that divi sion; the particulars are too numerous and too full of curious matter for such a purpose. "The history of Derry anterior to the close of the reign of Elizabeth, is almost ecclesiastical," observes the writer of this section, "and in relation to its pagan times nothing is recorded with certainty but its name-Derry, Calgach-and the fact of its being a pleasant eminence covered with oaks. The erection of a monastery here, by the celebrated Irish Thaumaturgus, and apostle of Scotland, Columbkille, is assigned by the best authorities to the year 546," &c. From this the writer proceeds with a chronological abstract of principal events, which are chiefly composed of invasions, burnings, and spoliations, which present a sufficient picture of the time in which they occurred. "It is also evident," observes our historian, "that minted money was as yet unknown as a circulating medium, at least in the north of Ireland; and that the value of precious metals was estimated only by weight." There also occurs here some interesting remarks and particulars relative to the first foundation of bishopricks in Ireland, from which it seems to be the inference that the commencement of episcopal jurisdiction in this country, is to be found in about the year 1118; the writer can, however, form but a conjecture from the specified data, and that probably confined to the locality under his inspection. We have next a brief but sufficient abstract of the substance of the ancient Irish Annals-valuable for the satisfactory testimony they contain of the thorough barbarism, and insecure political condition of the times they record. The petty tyranny of small independent chiefs the perpetual bloodshed, naturized by their incessant dissensions. The constant insecurity from abroad, consequent on the vicinity of a nation comparatively civilized. Such are the characters of an era, to which the Irish people are sometimes impudently told to look back with regret. But assuredly among the many useful lessons contained in the annals of history, there is not one more certain or more important, than the clear and satisfactory confutation which they offer to such insidious asseverations; as broadly and distinctly as it is possible to evi spirit and principle-trade, letters, laws, a tempered government, and the polity of civilized nations, have been the immediate result of British connexion. That Ireland has grown with the growth, and strengthened with the strength of England; and if we must admit a disparity in this progressit is to be traced as distinctly as every effect has been traced from its causeto the fatal action of perpetual resistance. The alternations of rebellion and necessary subjugation, have like the over frequent recurrence of constitutional disease, absorbed too much of the vital strength and the causes of national growth have been wasted in recoveries which never have been allowed to proceed beyond a little way. : From the ancient annals, the writer proceeds to give brief sketches of the ecclesiastical antiquities of the city; of these we make a short extract for the curiosity of the general reader. "CHURCHES, &c.-The Irish annals of Derry, preceding its occupation by the English, terminate here. Meagre, as already acknowledged, these notices are, but they afford striking evidences of the continuation in this part of the island, to so recent a period, of the original institutions of the country, and saddening illustrations of the insecurity of life and property, and the amount of misery and confusion, which were the inevitable results of such a social system. The town, if such it might be called, was entirely ecclesiastical, and consisted, almost exclusively, of churches and the habitations of the clergy and monks. The former were evidently structures of stone, and the lat ter of wood or mud; for in those days a stone house was called a castle, and the only structure of that kind recorded to have been erected in Derry was a small square tower, built by O'Dogherty, in the 15th or 16th century, for O'Donnell, on a spot of ground purchased for the purpose from the erenagh MacLoughlin. Of this castle some remains are supposed to exist still; but of all the ancient ecclesiastical buildings not a vestige is to be found. They have shared the fate of that venerable oak grove in the midst of which they were originally erected, and which, as has been shown, had been preserved through so many successive ages with an equally religious veneration. SAINT COLUMB'S CHURCH, or Duv Columb, written in the 16th dence by unquestioned statement, REGLES.-A passage in the Elem showing that all that is respectable in O'Donnell, prince of Tirconnell, makes us acquainted with the position and form of the original church of Derry, and shows that the conservation of those trees was considered by the clergy as a sacred duty, imposed upon them by the order of the patron saint himself. He writes thus: Many other signs and miracles were wrought by this servant of Christ in the same place, in which he himself dwelt for a long time, and which he loved above every other, and particularly that beautiful grove very near the Monastery of Derry, which he wished should be always left standing; and he gave orders that, should any one of its trees be prostrated by a storm, it should not be removed until after the expiration of nine days, after which one-tenth part should be given to the poor, one-third be reserved for the hearth of the guests, and the remainder be distributed among the people. From this veneration for the grove, when the holy man was about erecting the church, commonly known by the name Duibh Regles, he had rather that the foundation of the building should be laid in a transverse position, leaving the grove untouched, which by its density and contiguity rendered the place narrow, than that the building should, according to the usual custom, look to the east, the grove being in part destroyed. But, that he might not appear to deviate entirely from the usage of the church, he ordered that the sacred altar, upon which he himself offered sacrifice, should be erected at the eastern side of the building. The ruins of that church, remaining at this day [1520] demonstrate that such was its situation.'-(Tr. Th. O'Donnell's Life of Columbkille, book 1st, chapter 57th.) "TEMPLEMORE, OR CATHEDRAL AND ROUND TOWER.-The peculiarity of position alluded to by O'Donnell was, it is probable, the only feature which distinguished the Duv Regles from the contemporaneous churches of the country, many of which still remain, and are remarkable for the simplicity of their form and architecture. Not so, however, the Temple More, or Cathedral church, erected in 1164, which was evidently one of the most distinguished ecclesiastical structures built in Ireland previously to the settlement of the Anglo-Normans, and which, as Colgan accurately states, was 80 paces or 240 feet in length. "These churches, with their accompanying buildings, were situated adjacent to each other outside the present city wall, on the ground now chiefly occupied by the Roman Catholic chapel and cemeteries; and, with the exception of the round-tower belfry, were totally destroyed by Docwra, in 1600, to use their materials in the new works which he erected. This tower survived till after the siege, being marked on the maps or plans of that time as the Long Tower or Temple More,' and its site is still indicated by the name of a lane called the Long Tower.' In the charter of Derry it is called Columbkille's Tower.' In Raven's plan of the city, in 1621, it is represented as a very high and slender belfry; but it is incorrectly drawn as square, a common error in the plans made by English artists in Ireland in that and earlier times, as appears from many old maps among the MSS. in Trinity College library. In the popular traditions of Derry and its vicinity this tower is to this day spoken of as a lofty round tower, built by St. Columb himself, and many legends are current of its miracleworking silver bell. It has been erroneously supposed by Mr. Sampson that the the old windmill,' so memorable during the siege, and still existing as a pigeon-house at the Cassino, was the remains of this tower." We pass over many curious and instructive pages of chronology, to the period after Elizabeth's reign, here the writer professes to give an" abstract of the more important events, which the reader will find fully detailed in the county history." We would advise the general reader to peruse this abstract attentively, as containing, in fact, all the information he is likely to desire. The history of O'Neill's rebellion, as might be anticipated, begins this era, it is given from the contempora neous accounts of different writers. The history from this becomes well authenticated and momentous, contain ing the fullest accounts of the charters of Londonderry, with its various infractions and revocations, the history of the governors, bishops, deans, and members of the corporation; followed by a miscellaneous account of such eminent persons as were natives of this city. Among those occurs the name and a brief account of the wellknown dramatist, George Farquhar, who died in the year 1707. The progress of the town of Derry is next traced from the plantation |