is exceeding elegant, and the features fo expreffive, that it is equally apt to ftrike the beholder with awe and delight, for the expreffion is fo ftrong that the fpectator would imagine St. Paul was really delivering his oration, the audience attending him being reprefented fo ftrongly agreeable to nature, that few pieces of the kind can equal, and, I may venture to fay, none can furpass it, befides the colouring and drapery is such as demands the attention of the curious in that almost loft art. But what even exceeds this is the altar-piece, which is likewise in stained glafs; there indeed the fpectator is really amazed, for the representation of the Crucifixion is so beautifully reprefented that the mind must be infenfible indeed that is not affected at so awful a fcene, especially when fhewn with fuch fuperb grandeur, and enriched with every embellishment art can give. The altar-piece is of crimson velvet richly embroidered with gold lace. The pulpit and reading defk is of mahogany covered with the fame the feats are likewife of mahogany, covered with fearlet cloth. The whole chapel is in the Mofaic order, and is fifty feet long and thirty broad. The celebration of Divine Service is conftantly performed here every day, and, to ufe my lord's own expreffion, he is determined to fpare no expence to render it worthy the fublime purpose to which it is confecrated. The organ is one of the finest toned ones I ever ever heard, and in point of beauty and elegance is extremely well adapted. It is fixed over the entrance into the chapel oppofite the altar.EN. County of WEST MEATH. This county is bounded on the north by the counties of Cavan and Longford, from which it is feparated for the most part by the river Inny. On the caft by the county of Eaft Meath, on the fouth by the King's County, and on the weft by the county of Rofcommon. Its greatest length from eaft to weft is about 38 English miles, from Castletown near Athboy to Athlone, and about 21 miles in breadth from Finay to Kinnegad: containing about 180,000 acres, plantation measure, of profitable land, exclufive of bogs, lakes and barren mountains; including them it contains near 250,000 Irish acres. Weft Meath is juftly esteemed the garden of Ireland, being for the most part of a fruitful and pleasant foil, well watered with a number of fmall rivers, lakes, and brooks, and in general ftored with excellent arable, pafture and meadow grounds, producing all kinds of grain, plenty of tame and wild fowl, fruits, fresh water fish, cattle, and, in fhort, not deficient in any thing which can contribute to the ufe and emolument of life. It was formerly abounding with many large forests, but most of the timber having been K 2 cut cut down, little remains of them but copfes and underwoods; a circumftance much to be regretted in this as well as in many other parts of Ireland. This county is divided into eleven baronies, viz. on the north east, Delvin; on the north the half barony of Fore, Corkery, Moygoyth, and Rathconrath; on the north and weft Kilkenny; on the weft and fouth Clonlonan; on the fouth Moycafhell, and Fartulla; on the fouth east, Fairbill, and in the centre the barony of Moyafhell and Maheredernan. The principal commodities are corn of all forts, hides, tallow, flax, hemp, cheese, butter, wool, honey, wax, &c. It contains upwards of 9300 houfes, 62 parishes, and returns to members to parliament. This is an inland County, having no navigable river, nor eftablifhed manufactory, and the greatest part of the inhabitants living in fmall towns and villages. The principal refidence of the Monarchs of Ireland, was at Tarah in this county, where were held their folemn feftivals and conventions upon important occafions, and to which reforted a great confluence of the nobility and gentry. The chief towns in the county of Weft Meath, are, Mullingar. Fore. Kinnegad. Mullingar. རྨ Mullingar The shire town of this county, diftant from Dublin 37 miles north west. It is a town of confiderable trade, which of late has much increafed, and is very populous. It hath a barrack for two troops of horse, and returns two members to parlia ment. It is fituated near the centre of the County. The poft goes to Dublin twice a week. With regard to the antient hiftory of this city, it appears according to Ware's Monaft. that about the year 1227, a priory of Canon Regulars was founded here, which was known by the name of The House of God of Mullingar, by Ralph de Petit, Bishop of Meath. Here was alfo a convent of friars predicant, founded, in 1237, by the Nugents; feveral chapters of the order being held here, fhew that it was a great monaftrey; part of the bell-tower and fome other ruins remain. See Dr. Burke's Hib. Dom. p. 218. There are alfo the remains of many ancient caftles to be feen. Here is a handfome church, with a gaol, a feffions houfe, and other public buildings; as alfo a number of modern well built houfes for the merchants, &c. The trade is great on account of its being on the great road from Dublin to Connaught; the whole town is the property of Lord Granard, and a manor court is held here, wherein actions without limit may be tried, and also court leet, court baron, &c. according to law. K 3 Fore. Fore. This ancient corporation town, is feated on the north fide of the hill which separates it from Lough Lene, about 40 miles north weft from Dublin. This town is. faid to have been antiently the refidence of many learned men, and an university was established for the education of youth. Its name in the Irish tongue fignifies the Town of Books. There are many evident marks, of its having been a place of devotion, for there appear the ruins of three parish churches, one monaftery, and one church or cell of an anchoret. This monaftery was built by St. Fechin about the year 630. The town is very poor, having little trade. Delvin, in the barony of the fame, where is a large fquare caftle, with a round tower at each corner, which exemplifies in a particular manner the ancient magnificence of thofe ftructures. It gives the title of Baron to the noble family of Nugent, Earl of Weft Meath. The patent roll of this family was dated in the 12th year of King Richard II. in 1389, by which it appears that Wil liam Baron Delvin, was then in ward to the king, by the name of William Fitzgerald Nugent, Baron of Delvin. Ballimore. A market town, situated in the midway between Mullingar and Althlone. Here was formerly a ftrong garrison of English forces, with deep entrenchments and a draw bridge, and was the chief fortress |