Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

III.

-- -- --

HETEROGENEA, OR MEDLEY.
(For the benefit of the Poor.)
By JOHN MOORE JOHNSTON.

-- -- --

Printed at Downpatrick in 1803 by James Parks.

-- -- --

(Continued.)

PORTMORE STABLES.

were 140 feet in length, 35 in breadth and 40 feet high; had accommodation for two troops of horse, and rooms for the men, marble cisterns, pumps, &c. The stables, built by the Earl of Conway about 1664; Dr. Jeremy Taylor, afterwards Bishop of Down and Dromore, resided here many years during the reign of Cromwell; there had been an old castle here before. The whole buildings were taken down in 1761, excepting the walls which surround the bowling green, gardens, towers, &c. Portmore deerpark a little distance from this, contained about two thousand Acres; about thirty years age this was one of the most romantic and delightful places perhaps in Ireland; it was stored with Deer, Pheasants, Jays, Turkeys, Hares, Rabbits and a variety of other kinds of game; many large oak and other timber trees. Earl Conway made canals here, duck-coys quays for pleasure-boats, &c.

RAMS-ISLAND

situated in Lough neagh, about two miles from the shore, contains about six acres, on which is a round tower fifty feet high. The village of upper Ballanderry, (alias Largyvore) where fairs are held quarterly, for sale of Horses, Black-cattle, &c. partly the property of Mr. William Johnston, Lieutenant of the Ballanderry Yeomanry corps, of which the Marquis of Hertford is Captain. Near this are the houses of the Revd. Mr. Thomas Edward Higginson, Messrs. Edward Walkington, Edward Higginson, William Davis, Edward Seafton, Thomas Hunter, Robert Cinnamond, Thomas Higginson, late Hugh Casmont, Mr. Patterson, Edward Higginson Murray Linendraper, Jacob Harrison, Mr. Hasty, &c. From the Crewhill in this parish, the prospect is very extensive, Loughneagh in full view, which is thirty miles long and fifteen broad, Loughbeg, Portmore, Rams-island pillar, Shanes-castle, the elegant seat of Earl O'Neal, on the verge Lake; Longford Lodge, Lord Langford's part of the Counties of Derry, Tyrone, Armagh, Monaghan, Louth, Antrim, and Down; also the towns of Moira, Dungannon, Charlemont, Stewartstown, Lurgan,and Hillsborough, &c. This parish in general is good land as any of the province of Ulster.

In the parish of Glenavy, is the village of that name, which contains about fifty houses, late Dogherty Gorman's Esq. Mr Murray's, Mr. Strane's, and and the inn Mr. Quigly's are the best. In this parish, Camlin sad Tullyrusk, are the houses of the late Messrs. Francis and Valentine White, Conway M'Niece's, Esq. Cherry-valley, late Fortescue Gorman's, Esq. Land for Heylands Esqrs. at Crumlin, where is a large flour Mill, Mr. William Oakman's, Messrs. John and William Gregg's, James Whittle's, Hans Campbell's, William Clements, Henry Hull's, David M'Clure's, John Murray's Linendraper, &c. In Glenavy river, between the Town and Loughneagh, there is a waterfall called the Leap, about thirty feet perpendicular, and twenty feet of gradual slope, and thirty feet broad, which is beautiful sublime and awful! Mr. M'Niece has a good Bleach-green, and some plantations along the river here. In the parish of Magharagall, is Brook-hill house, the seat of James Watson Esq. This place took its name from Sir Francis Brook, who was a Colonel in Queen Elizabeth's Army. Springfield Captain Edward Weakfield's; Christian-hall, Lieutenant James Higginson's, Redhill, Mr. Robert Garrett's, Mrs. Younghusband's, Mr. Henry Garrett's, Mr. Thomas Hall's, Mr. Robert Hall's, Mr. Alexander Renfrew's, Mr. John Johnston's, Mr. George Higginson's, Mr. Carnahan's, Mr. Greer's, Mr. John Gill's, James Brown's, Revd. Francis Patten's, &c. In the parish of Derryaghy, are the houses of the Revd. Phillip Johnston, Edward Gayer and Poyntz Stewart, Esqrs. Messrs. William Duncan's Magharaleave, Matthew Rossbotham's, Richard Mussin's, Roger Hamill's, Robert Duncan's, Robert Johnston's Seymourhill, John Corkin's, Mr. Henry Waring's Collin, Linendraper, Mr. James Steel's, Mr. Waring's, Castle-robin, Mrs. Hudson's, Belsize, Lieutenant Hum Clark's, Mr. Timothy Rusk, Mrs. Chapman's, Mr. Waters's, &c. The old walls of

CASTLE-ROBIN,

on the side of the Mountain, built by one Robert Norton, in the reign of Queen Elisabeth was a strong Castle, eighty four feet long, thirty six wide, and forty feet high; the walls are nearly all standing. Mr. Waring has converted it to office houses. The village of Stoneyford, is on the verge of this parish, where Mr. James Boys has a Bleach-green. In the parish of Lambeg, is the village of that name, and the houses of Sam. Delacherois, Messrs. Richard, Thomas and Abram Wolfenden's who carry on the manufacturing of Cotton Paper and Blankets; Lambeg house now Mr. Henry Bell's Linendraper, Mrs. Barclay's, Mr. Williamson's, Mrs. Agnew's, Mr. Connor's, Mr. Richard Brison's, &c. The first Lord Conway Grandfather to the present Marquis of Hertford, made a race-course near the village of Lambeg about 70 years ago. In the 12th century O'Donnell built a monastry here; part of the walls of Aghalee, Aghagailon and Ballanderry old Churches are still standing; they were each seventy feet by twenty four, but no inscription.

SIR FULK CONWAY

and afterwards his successor, the Earl of Conway and his brtherinlaw Sir George Rawdon, brought over many natives of England and Wales here to tenant the estate, and their descendants still occupy the lands; some of their names were Gresham, Audis, Thurkilld, Antwistle, Higginson, Hastings, Waring, Close, Wolfenden, Mussen, Bullmer, Bunting, Blizard, Charleton, Aprichard, Gwilliams, Haddock, Peers, Wheeler, Breathwait, Barnsley, Carleton, Conway, Garrett, Bennett, Gregory, Waters, White, Pearce, Grainger, Willis, Shillington, Hammond, Moore, Smyth, Richardson, Clark, Hopes, Peel, Bicket, Lamb, Hodgkinson, Carter, Courtney, Weatherhead, &c. &c. This estate is as compact as any possibly can, being of an oval form about sixteen miles in length, from Clogher and Ballymullan-hills in the County of Down to Hog-park point, or Shanport in the County of Antrim, which run into Lough-neagh; and about ten miles in breadth from near Moira to Crumlin. It is one of the most populous, best improved, and occupied by the most wealthy and substantial Yeomanry of any perhaps in Ireland. The farms in general are from twenty, to one and two hundred Acres or upwards each; the houses are neat and in general white, surrounded with fields, well cultivated and well planted, much after the English fashion; the tenantry being descended from Englishmen in general, and follow the customs, manners, industry and religion of their ancestors: they are a loyal and spirited people, much atached to their excellent religious and good King, and inimitible constitution. The different Yeomanry corps in this estate or territory, amount to about one thousand men; two troops of Cavalry and nine companies of Infantry.

Names of Officers, number, of Men, &c.

LISBURN Cavalry -- Marquis Hertford, William Smyth, S. Delacherois, James Fulton, 64 men.

MAHARAGALL Cavalry -- Edward Wakefield, Robert Garrett, Henry Higginson, 60 men.

BALLENDERRY Infantry -- Marquis of Hertford, William Stewart, James Campbell, William Johnston, 150 men.

BALLYMACASH -- P. Johnson, Francis Smyth, Richard Barnsley, 150 men.

BROOKHILL -- James Watson, James Patten, 150 men.

BROOMHEDGE -- Philip Stewart, Nat. Smyth, 150 men.

DERRIAGHY -- Poyntz Stewart, Wm. Curtis, Richard Wolfenden, 150 men.

LISBURN -- N. Delacherois, William Coulsin, N. Delacherois, 150 men.

POLLYGLASS -- Robert Duncan, John M'Clure, John Tucker, 150 men.

SOLDIERSTOWN -- Stafford Gorman, Mr. Smyth, Mr. Fulton, 100 men.

GLENAVY -- Conway M'Neice, John Ridgway, Dan. Allen, 150 men.

Leases of this whole estate for three lives or forty one years, were granted from 1740, by the late Marquis of Hertford, from two to five or six Shillings an Acre, but his Lordship got fines. Some of the lives are still in being, but they are dropping off every year; when the whole expire the estate will be between fifty and sixty thousand a year. This estate is improving in building, planting Orchards, liming, &c. and will become a terrestrial paradise, or may be called the Garden of Eden in Ireland.

To the Lisburn 1st Company of Volunteers

Sweet Lisburn, fairest village of the vale,
Thy beauties have, and always shall prevail.
The loveliest town, of all the north'rn plain,
Whose worthy sons, still did their rights maintain.
Who for sweet liberty, in days of yore,
And for their country, still achiev'd much more
'Gainst that bold rebel Sir Phelim O'Neill,
Who o'er thy loyal sons thought to prevail
Who stem'd the torrent of his wicked rage;
And grac'd the annals of historic page;
Rawdon's brave troops repell'd his bloody crew,
And many in most dreadful battle slew.
Now should proud France, oppose, or timid Spain,
Fair Lisburn's sons, would freely fight again,
Her Volunteers are all both firm and true,
And gallent men, as ever triggers drew,
They would stand forth, maintain our wholesome laws,
And speak, and act, and bleed in paddys cause.
Still let the task be yours with active zeal,
To guard the honours of your Country's weal;
Her rights restore, her sinking laws reclaim,
And wake in every breast the patriot flame.
Our spirits chear'd, by hope's enlivening ray,
That shortly we shall see the glorious day,
When all oppressive laws shall be repeal'd,
And national freedom, be entail'd;
Fair Lisburn's sons shall then in concert sing,
With grateful hearts, "long live great George our King."

         A LISBURN VOLUNTEER.
Lisburn, March 6th, 1780.

(Editorial Notes on the Heterogenea next week.)

=========================

THE STAY AT HOME.

"Your King and country need you" to aid the cause of Right;
does loyal impulse lead you to arm yourself and fight?
Are you ignobly skulking, your motto, "Safety First,"
when woe is largely hulking, and foemen's bombshells burst?
The country's stress produces men great of soul, I wist,
while you invent excuses for failing to enlist.
You have an aching finger, you have a spavined toe,
and that is why you linger and see your neighbours go.
When weapons cease to rattle, and peace has come to men;
when from the fields of battle the boys come home again;
when heroes tell their stories of struggles past and done,
of sufferings and glories, and triumphs hardly won,
how shall the shirker harken to that, and save his face?
He'll feel the shadows darken, the shadows of disgrace.
Who'll heed his explanation, when, sore, he reels it off:
"I wished to help the nation, but had the whooping cough!
My martial spirit tingles, and I to war would jump,
but I was down with shingles, a measle and a mump!"
Your King and country need, you, their banner to protect;
go, let a German bleed you, and gain some self-respect.

 

^ top of page

Deaths

SCOTT -- November 9, 1916, at her residence, Strawberry Hill House, Lisburn, Isabella, beloved wife of Charles Scott. Funeral to Lisburn Cemetery to-morrow (Saturday) afternoon, at 2 o'clock. Friends will please accept this intimation. No flowers. Deeply regretted.
CHARLES SCOTT.

REDDOCK -- November 4th, 1916, at her residence, "The Cottage," Plantation, Lisburn, Mary, youngest daughter of the late George Reddock. Interred in family burying-ground Blaris. Deeply regretted.
CHARLOTTE and JAS. ALISTER.

Thanks

Rev. W. C. and Mrs. COWDEN desire to express their sincere and grateful thanks to the many kind friends who sympathised with them in their recent sad bereavement will be accepted by all. The Manse, Saintfield Road, Lisburn.

Clippings

SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

IV.

-- -- --

HETEROGENEA, OR MEDLEY.
(For the benefit of the Poor.)
By JOHN MOORE JOHNSTON.

-- -- --

Printed at Downpatrick in 1803 by James Parks.

-- -- --

Editorial Notes on the Heterogenea.

The name Killultagh is used in several senses. As Killultagh and Derrykillultagh it is the name of a townland in Ballinderry containing some 700 acres. The territory of Killultagh was an old term in use long before the division of the country into Baronies and Counties, and roughly comprised the district lying between the River Lagan and Lough Neagh. The Manor of Killultagh, known as the Hertford Estate, embraced the old territory, and in addition the lands Of Derrievolgie and numerous adjoining townlands. Sir Foulke Conway received a grant of the territory about 1608, the other lands were afterwards added to the Conway property. Killultagh in Irish is Coill Ultagh, the forest or wood of Ulster. Lis-na-garvach, the fort of the gamester. Killultagh belonged to the O'Neills, the descendants of Hugh Boye O'Neill. There were three forts in the territory -- Inisloughlin, near Trummery House, Moira; Portmore, beside Lough Neagh; and one on a mound above the Lagan, close to Lisnagarvey.

SIR FOULKE CONWAY

died in 1624. The Church of St. Thomas, now the Cathedral, was opened for divine service in 1623. Sir Foulke was succeeded by his brother, Sir Edward, Baron Conway, who got the title of Viscount of Killultagh in 1627, and built the Castle of which the remains still exist in the Castle Gardens. His son, also named Edward, the second Viscount, succeeded in 1630, and died in 1655; and his son, also named Edward, who built the Castle at Portmore, died in 1683. The property then passed by will to his cousin, Popham Seymour, who took the name of Conway. Popham fell in a duel with Colonel Kirk in 1699, and died unmarried. The estate then passed to his brother, Francis Seymour, first Lord Conway, created Baron Conway of Killultagh in 1712. He died at Lisburn 1731, and was succeeded by his son Francis, first Marquess, created Viscount Beauchamp and Earl of Hertford 1750, and Earl of Yarmouth and

MARQUESS OF HERTFORD 1793.

He died 1794, his honours and estate going to his son Francis, second Marquess, K.G., who assumed the additional surname and arms of Ingram; and died in 1822. To him succeeded his son, Francis Charles, third Marquess, K.G., who died in 1842. He is best remembered as the original of the Marquis of Steyne in Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" and Lord Monmouth in Disraeli's "Coningsby." Richard, the forth Marquess, K.G., son of Francis Charles, died, unmarried, in 1870. He was known from 1822 till the death of his father as Earl of Yarmouth. The title then passed to Francis George Hugh, fifth Marquees, cousin of Richard, and the Irish Estate, after a lawsuit with Sir Hamilton Seymour, passed, in 1872, into the possession of

SIR RICHARD WALLACE, BART.

From the Dictionary of National Biography we gather that Sir Richard, connoisseur and collector of works of art, born 1818, died 1890, was at one time reputed to be the natural son of the fourth Marquis of Hertford, his senior by only 18 years. But the truth in all probability is that he was the fourth Marquis' half brother and the natural son of that nobleman's mother, the great heiress, Maria Fagniani, Marchioness of Hertford, who had married in 1798 Francis Charles, the third Marquis. Maria Fagniani was the daughter of the Marchesa Fagniani, and was adopted by George Augustus Selwyn, wit and politician, 1719-1791. A dispute between the Duke of Queensberry and Selwyn regarding her paternity was never settled. In early youth Sir Richard was known as Richard Jackson. On Lord Hertford's death in 1870, he found himself heir to such of his property as the deceased Marquis could devise by will, including a house in Paris, Hertford House in London, the Irish Estates about Lisburn, which then brought in some £50,000 a year, and the finest collection of pictures and objects of art in private hands in the world. He represented Lisburn in the Imperial Parliament from 1873 to 1885. A large portion of his life was spent in Paris, where he died 20th July 1890, leaving no surviving children. He married in 1871 the daughter of a French officer -- Bernard Castelnau -- who had already borne him a son. Lady Wallace died in 1897. She left by will to the English nation the Hertford-Wallace Collection. Hertford House, London, was acquired by the Government and adapted to the purposes of a public museum, and it is there that the collection is now domiciled. Sir Richard Wallace was a noble and philanthropic gentleman. He spent vast sums of money in assisting the suffering citizens of Paris in 1870. His generosity to Lisburn is well known. His liberal treatment of the tenantry on the Hertford Estate, after he came into possession, was worthy of all praise, reversing in a moment the harsh and oppressive methods of his predecessors.

SIR GEORGE RAWDON

was possibly the most influential man in Killultagh in the 17th century. He was born at Rawdon Hall, near Leeds. He appears to have been M.P. for Belfast in 1639, and later for Carrickfergus. In 1640 he got a lease from Viscount Conway of certain lands which included Brookhill, and the lease would appear to have been renewed in 16419. In 1654 he was building a house in Lisburn, having married in that year, as his second wife, Dorothy Conway, sister of the second Viscount Conway. Rawdon assisted in the defence of Lisburn against the Irish rebels, November 28th, 1641. For his various services to the State he secured a grant of several thousand acres of land in the territory of Moyra, which had belonged to the O'Laverys, and became Sir George Rawdon, Bart., of Moyra House. He died in 1684, and was buried in Lisburn. He was the ancestor of the Earls of Moira. The first Earl was created in 1761; the second Earl added to his honours the title of Marquess of Hastings in 1816; the third and fourth Earls followed; the fifth died in 1868, and the title became extinct.

A valuable article by the Rev. W. H. Dundas, B.D.. has been largely drawn upon in compiling the foregoing notes on Killultagh -- the Early History of the Conway Family and Sir George Rawdon.

The Dioceses of

DOWN AND CONNOR

were united in 1442. Dromore was united with Down and Connor in 1842. The Bishops of the United Diocese were -- Richard Mant, 1842; Robert Knox, 1849; William Reeves, 1886; Thomas J. Welland, 1892; John B. Crosier, 1907; Charles F. D'Arcy, 1911. In 1699 Bishop Smith, a native of Lisburn, was Bishop of Down and Connor. He was appointed at 34 years of age. The United Diocese includes the whole of the Counties of Antrim and Down and portions of Londonderry and Armagh.

LISBURN CATHEDRAL

was originally built in 1623, and known as the Church of St. Thomas. It was twice burnt -- by the Irish rebels in 1641 and accidentally in 1707. When rebuilt after 1707 it was minus the spire, and remained so for almost 100 years. The spire was added by the second Marquis of Hertford in 1807. Since then, from its lofty height, the Curfew Bell has sounded forth nightly at 9 o'clock 100 strokes of the bell, marking the ancient custom and the hour. The Church was constituted in 1662 the Cathedral of the Diocese of Down and Connor by charter of Charles II. It is remarkable as being the church of which Bishop Jeremy Taylor was lecturer, and in later times the chief church of the Huguenot settlement. Incumbents -- Rev. James Mace, 1661; Rev. Joseph Wilkins, 1672; Rev. George Wilkins, 1716: Rev. Anthony Rogers, 1727; Rev. Richard Dobbs, 1749; Rev. Thomas Higginson, 1777; Rev. Wm. Traill, Archdeacon, 1781; Rev. Snowden Cupples, D.D., 1796; Rev. James Stannus, Dean of Ross, 1835; Rev. Hartley Hodson, D.D., 1876; Rev. William D. Pounden, A.B., Canon, 1884.

The information regarding the United Diocese and incumbents of the Cathedral is taken from the Handbook of the United Diocese of Down and Connor and Dromore, compiled by L. M. Ewart in 1886.

On the Cathedral organ are two plates recording that it was

"Presented by the Marquis of Hertford through the very Rev. Dean Stannus."

     "Snowden Cupples, D.D., Rector.
      Thos. Thompson, Curate.
      Surgeon Thomas Wethered,
      George Emerson, C. Wardens.
          1832."

There are twenty-eight tablets or monuments in the building; including those to Bishop Jeremy Taylor, who died in Lisburn 1667; buried at Dromore; the Rev. Saumerez Dubourdieu, 1812; Brigadier-General John Nicholson, 1857; his brother, Major Charles J. Nicholson, 1862; Lieutenant William Dobbs, R.N., 1778; Lieutenant Thomas Johnson-Smyth, R.N., 1846; Major T. R. Johnson-Smyth, 1900; Colonel James Graham, 1905; Major R. B. Fulton, 1836; and to Lakes, Mercers, Rogers, Hawkshaws, Grahams, Whitlas, Atkinsons, Higginsons, etc., etc. The following is a short extract from a very long inscription on a tablet on the wall in the hall approaching the gallery --

     "S.M. John Mercer, Esq., from Scotland, died about A.D. 1636.

     "Captain John, son of the above, died A.D. 1650.

     "John of Castle Robin, Derryaghey, son of the above, died A.D. 1726.

     "John Mercer, Esq., of Hill Hall Court, son of the above, died A.D. 1731."

There is also a memorial erected in 1915 to commemorate the 60 years' faithful ministry in the Diocese of the Rev. William Dawson Pounden, B.A., Canon.

JOHN GOUGH,

the first head-master of the Ulster Provincial School, Lisburn, was a man of ability and learning. He published a "History of the People called Quakers," in four volumes, in 1789, and was also author of a book on Arithmetic which for many years held the position of a Standard text-book in Irish schools. He died in 1791. In the Friends' Burying-ground, Railway Street, is a stone to his memory bearing the simple record--

     "John Gough.
      Born 1721.
         Died
    25th 10th Mo., 1791."

-- -- -- --

The Vitriol Works referred to as carried on by Dr. Crawford were on the Island formed by the Canal and River Lagan, now occupied by the Island Spinning Co., Ltd.

-- -- -- --

The old Market-house was situated in Market Square, and occupied the lower portion of what is now known in 1916 as the Assembly Rooms.

-- -- -- --

The Linen Hall was located at the junction of Linenhall Street and Smithfield, opposite the lower end of Market Street, and now converted into a Butter and Egg Market.

-- -- -- --

The old Castle was built between 1624 and 1630 in what is known as the Castle Gardens, and of which some of the walls and foundations still exist; it was destroyed by fire in 1707.

-- -- -- --

Prior to the Union Lisburn returned two burgesses to the Irish Parliament.

-- -- -- --

Mr. George Sands, C.E., has in his possession two large maps engrossed on sheep skin, bearing dates 1726 and 1729. The town lands and names of then occupying tenants on the Hertford Estate are shown thereon. He has also a book, 1705-1709, containing a large number of short agreements in relation to the taking of land signed by the tenants. It is believed there are several more of these books in existence.

Mr. Joseph Allen, who has accumulated a valuable collection of books, pamphlets, and relics of old Lisburn, has in his possession a copy of an

ANCIENT MAP OF THE TOWN,

which shows that the general configuration remains practically unchanged for almost three hundred years. Castle Street (described in the map as the High Street), Bridge Street, Market Square, and the Cathedral occupy the same ground and positions to-day as they did when James the First was King. Only the people and buildings have changed. On the margin of the map are the names of 52 residents. They agree fairly closely with those given in Heterogenea, save that in several instances the spelling of the names differ. In the Market Square was a School-house, to be succeeded by a Market-house, and later by the Assembly Rooms. The 52 houses are numbered, and the name of The occupier of each house is given. The High Street or Castle Street would appear to extend not quite to the Infirmary, Bridge Street ran down to the Lagan, and Market Square ended about Tanyard Lane. The whole town was comprised within these limits. With the copy of the Map is an undated note by Edward Cupples, possibly a relative of Dr. Cupples, incumbent of Lisburn Parish 1796, 1835, which reads: "This ground plot of the town of Lisnagarvey, or Lisburn, is copied from the original in the possession of William Smith, Esq., Agent to the Marquis of Hertford, who obtained it from the Agent of Lord Moira, being found among his Lordship's papers. It has no date, but it is supposed to have been drawn between the years 1622 and 1678, the former being the date on a stone placed over an entrance door in the ruins of the chief dwelling-house contained within, and the latter the date of a ground plot of the stables at Portmore, which seems to have been drawn by the same hand."

William Smith was Agent to Lord Hertford in 1803. "The chief dwelling-house contained within" is marked on the Map as situated in the Castle Gardens, and provided with extensive stables, outbuildings, gardens, etc. It is also described on the Map as the Manor House. The house, court yards, garden, brewhouse, oat-house, powder-house, and office were all surrounded by a wall. The stables, stable yard, slaughter-house, kitchen garden, orchard, fish pond, etc., etc., were all outside the wall. The stables bordered on the High Street. The date 1622 mentioned as being over a door in the ruins raises a doubt as to the identity of the building, but it is possible that on the site of the Castle built by Sir Fulk Conway's brother there was a previous building, and it or the portion of it bearing the date 1622 was incorporated in the Castle built by Baron Conway, between 1624 and 1630. As, however, there is at the present time, a stone in an old arch over a large gateway or entrance in the Castle Gardens bearing the date 1677, it is not improbable, that Mr. Cupples has confused the dates -- 1622 and 1677.

Sir Foulk Conway received a grant of the territory of Killultagh about 1608. He died in 1624, and it was by him, and in his time, that the town was laid out in the form represented on the Map. Long prior to 1608, even before the reign of Queen Elizabeth, there was a small village here, even then known as Lisnegarvey.

Mrs. George Wilson, Castle Street, owns a signed copy of the Heterogenea, which she kindly placed at the Editor's disposal.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

Ulster Journal of Archæology,

Mr. Thomas Sinclair, J.P., Chairman Lisburn Urban District Council, who has been interesting himself for some time past in the question of procuring for Lisburn a coat of arms, has in his possession a series of articles on Armorial Bearings by John Vinycomb, M.R.I.A., which have appeared from time to time in the Ulster Journal of Archæology.

There is no law, it appears, against a Corporation simply assuming Armorial Bearings, without going through the formality and incurring the cost of getting a grant. A body may assume a coat of arms, acquire a right in it, by the lapse of time, and in due course get a confirmation.

These articles have been placed at the disposal of the Editor.

EXTRACTS.

No authentic record appears to exist for the arms borne by very many of the towns in the United Kingdom, and many ancient boroughs are unable to justify their use of arms upon any other ground than long use. This may be explained by the fact that the earliest coats of arms and corporate seals were not the result of a grant from any herald or monarch, but were simply devised and used at the will of their bearers. The Heralds' College in England was not incorporated until 1484, and in Ireland somewhat later.

It appears from a statute of Richard III., ch. 8, that at that time every city or borough possessed its own distinctive seal or coat of arms. It is thereby enacted that the leaden seals, affixed to pieces of cloth to certify that the piece was of the size prescribed by law, should be stamped on one side with the royal arms, and on the other with the arms of the city or borough where the cloth was manufactured; so that the arms of the different cities and boroughs must have been distinctive and well-known devices giving warranty for the measure and place of manufacture. An analogous custom formerly prevailed in Ireland in the linen manufacture.

In the case of some towns, the seal of the Corporation differs entirely from the arms in use; while in a number of instances the non-heraldic devices on early corporate seals have, in later times, been adopted into armorial form and used as town arms.

At the present (1894) only some six or seven towns in Ireland bear authorised arms; the rest of the so-called corporate arms consist of a jumble of armory -- some heraldic, some semi-heraldic, but most of them absolute heraldic nonsense. It is a pity, therefore, that those members of our corporations who are interested in having the arms of their corporate towns correct, should not apply to the proper quarter for a confirmation or grant of arms, as the case may be.

With regard to the legal right to use Armorial Bearings, a coat of arms, either for a person or a corporation, can be obtained on payment of certain fees and stamps. The grantee has the exclusive and preferential right to these arms, which right is vested in his descendants, or in those whom the patent may recite. No person can give or sell or bequeath his coat of arms to another person; and in the case of corporations, it should be understood that a properly accredited coat may only be used by and with authority, in the words of an old grant, "to be borne and used for ever hereafter by the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the said town of ----------- and their successors in office in their corporate capacity, on shields, banners, seals, or otherwise according to the laws of arms, without let or interruption by any person or persons whatsoever."

Ulster King of Arms is empowered to grant arms, or make a confirmation or re-adjustment of an existing coat. Arms are admitted when the proof of their having existed and been authoritatively borne for a lengthened period can be brought in evidence. It is a prevalent idea that such an application means outlay and great expense; but such is not the fact; The total fees, for a "Confirmation" only, amount to some £16. If "user" of a certain coat for 100 years can be shown, the authorities are empowered to issue a "Confirmation." The fees on a "Grant," including patent stamp and all other expenses, amount to £44. The fees in Ulster's office -- which all go into Her Majesty's Treasury -- are not nearly so high as in England; nor are there any taxes in Ireland on the use of armorial bearings, as in the sister kingdom.

Lisburn.

LISBURN is situated on both sides of the River Lagan, in the Counties of Antrim and Down, seven miles south of Belfast. The population in 1841 was only 6,284; it is now about 14,000. The improvements which have taken place since the late lamented Sir Richard Wallace came into possession of the Hertford estates have been almost unprecedented in the history of any other town in Ireland.

The original name of the town was LISNAGARVEN, meaning "the fort of the Carogh," or "Gamester."

After the great fire during the wars of 1641, its name was changed to Lisburn. In 1707 the town and castle were burned to the ground; the later has never been rebuilt, but the tower soon arose and greatly increased in extent. Sixty families of French Huguenot refugees settled here after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, introducing and carrying on the manufacture of linen. The descendants of many of these settlers still remain.

The Cathedral of Christ Church contains many interesting monuments -- the celebrated Jeremy Taylor, who died here in 1667; Brigadier-General Nicholson, the hero of the Punjaub; Lieut. Dobbs, R.N., killed in a sea fight off Carrickfergus in 1778 by Paul Jones, the American privateer; and several others. This venerable building was dignified as the Cathedral of the Diocese of Down and Connor by Charles II. to reward the fidelity of the inhabitants to his father and himself, and he granted the townsmen the privilege of sending two members to the Irish House of Commons.

The present seal of the Town Commissioners is circular, 1¼ in. in diameter, and bears in the centre a Royal crown, with the legend on the margin, "LISBURN TOWN COMMISSIONERS' SEAL."

A curious heraldic anachronism exists on the great pediment of the new Courthouse, Railway Street -- the obsolete arms of the United Kingdom of the reign of George III. being used instead of those of the present reign.

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FURTHER LOCAL HEROES.

Killed.	Killed.	Killed.	Killed.
Pte. Charles Dowds, Agll. and Sutherland Highlanders, Ballynahinch Road, Lisburn.	Pte. Hugh Donnelly, Royal Scots Fusiliers, Smithfield, Lisburn.	Rifleman R. Orr, R.I.R., Barnsley's Row, Lisburn.	Rifleman Joseph Lavery, R.I.R., Soldierstown, seriously wounded.

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DISASTER TO IRISH MAIL BOAT.

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Collides in Gale with Collier.

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Both Steamers Sunk -- Only one Survivor.

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During a heavy south-westerly gale in the Irish Channel on Friday night a disaster occurred a few miles off Greenore, involving the sinking of two vessels and the loss of ninety-one passengers and seamen.

About eight o'clock the well-known and popular mailboat Connemara, a two-decked steel vessel of 833 tons gross, owned by the London and North-Western Railway Co., left Greenore on a strong ebb tide, bound for Holyhead. She had on board fifty-one second and third class passengers, but no first class, and her crew of thirty-one were, under the command of Captain G. H. Doeg. When outside Carlingford Bar, less than an hour's run, she was rammed by the collier Retriever (Captain Patrick O'Neill), a three-masted Newry steamer of 459 tons gross, whose cargo, it is stated, had shifted owing to the heavy seas and rendered her unmanageable. Attempts were made to beach both vessels, but they were so badly damaged that within a very few minutes, variously estimated at from two to seven, the Connemara turned over, and within a quarter of an hour the Retriever had sunk, the boilers in both vessels having meanwhile burst.

Of the aggregate of ninety-one passengers and sailors only one is known to have survived -- James Boyle, of Warrenpoint, a seaman of the Retriever, who clung to a boat and was washed ashore greatly exhausted. The Connemara had on board many head of cattle and sheep, and a few if these poor creatures managed to struggle to land, but the remainder were seen lying amongst wreckage of all kinds which afterwards strewed the shore.

The terrible toll of life is plainly set out in the following table:--

	Connemara.	Retriever.
Passengers	51	---
Crew	31	10
Total	82	10
Saved	0	1
Lost	82	9
	Total, 91.

Fortunately no one from Lisburn or district were on board the ill-fated vessels. Merchandise belonging to a number of local houses, however, was on board, but as far as we can gather it was practically insured.

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LIFE.

Life closely resembles the sea. The Red Sea, with its terrible heat; the Arctic Sea, with its awful cold; the Atlantic, with its storms; the Pacific, with its calms; the Sunny Mediterranean; the Chinese waters, swarming with pirates; the Indian ocean with sharks; the German Ocean, haunted by submarines -- all have their analogues in human life, and at one time or another we must navigate them all. All the saints are toilers of the sea. We do our best to "hug the coast," to sail along some flowery coast; but Heaven often launches us into the deep, we are compelled to contend with billows and waterspouts, and "our soul melteth away because of trouble." Then He "maketh the storm a calm," and this again has its peculiar perils.
     "It was not in the battle,
          No tempest gave the shock,
     She sprang no fatal leak,
          She ran upon no rock.

Yet down went the Royal George, even so the Connemara, with all their crews complete. So, a thousand times over, lulled by health and prosperity, does the saint make shipwreck of the faith and of a good conscience. Great Pilot, keep Thy hand on the helm.

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THE WAR.

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Hostile Shelling on British Front.

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Roumanians Attacking in the Dobrudja.

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No Question of a Separate Peace.

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There has been no war news of a very startling nature this week, and there is not anything of an extraordinary character to add this morning.

During yesterday there was considerable hostile shelling on the British front south of the Ancre, and the German positions east of the Regina Trench were bombarded. Early yesterday morning, after a discharge of gas east of Armentieres, our troops bombed the enemy's trenches. Sir Douglas Haig denies the German claim that on the 5th inst. they repulsed our troops with huge sanguinary losses. Our attacks on that date, he says, were merely local, and most of the trenches which were the objectives were gained.

The Paris communiques report great artillery activity on the Somme front. During Wednesday evening the Germans attacked the French lines at Saillisel, but were driven back after a hand-to-hand fight. Yesterday there were minor infantry engagements near Sailly-Saillisel and to the south of Pressoire, in the course which several positions were cleared by the French and prisoners taken.

In Roumania the enemy are counter-attacking in the hope of stopping the Russian advance at Tolgyes Pass. East of Buzeu Valley and in the Jiul Valley the Roumanians have had local successes. In the Dobrudja our Allies, still advancing, have reoccupied Hirsova, on the Danube. The enemy admit falling back here, but claim successes south-east of the Roter Turm.

There is nothing to report from the Russian front except (via Berlin) increased artillery activity about the Zloczow-Tarnpool line.

In Macedonia bad weather still prevents operations of any importance.

Mr. Asquith, speaking at the Lord Mayor of London's banquet last night, emphasised the statement that there could be no question of a separate peace, and when peace came it must ensure the liberties of Europe and the free future of the world.

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DERRIAGHY SERGEANT WOUNDED.

Mr. Edward Partridge, Ivy Hill, Derriaghy, has received intimation that his son, Sergeant John Partridge, Royal Irish Rifles, was somewhat seriously wounded about a fortnight ago when his battalion was leaving the trenches for a well-earned rest. He received two bullet wounds in the right lung. Sergeant Partridge was not quite sixteen, when he volunteered following the outbreak of the war.

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LISBURN FOOTBALLERS IN INDIA.

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Winning all Before Them.

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We hare received the following letter from a Lisburn soldier serving with a garrison battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles "somewhere in India," which we feel sure will be read with interest by all the football enthusiasts in Lisburn, and by those other sportsmen from the town and district who are now taking a hand in the greater game of war:--

Dear Sir, -- I thought it would interest some of the readers of the good old "Standard" to know that the Lisburn men of our battalion have a football team, and are taking all before them. The most prominent among them are Sergeant Green, Rifleman Strickland (the latter was centre-forward for Lisburn in the 'eighties), and Corpl. Blake. All are well-known in the good old town. They have asked me to write and say they are all in the best of health, and trust the "Standard" is flourishing as much as ever. If any of your readers have an old ball to part with or football boots, etc., they will be ever thankfully received out here. Our last game played was against the native team, all of whom are first-class players, but they could not come up to the standard of the Lisburn boys. Thanking you in anticipation, and every good luck to the "Standard." -- Yours faithfully,
               AN OLD LISBURN MAN.

P.S. -- I get the "Standard" every week, and I wish you saw the rush for it. (If any of the secretaries of our local clubs wish to forward a ball out, they can obtain the address of the writer at this office. -- Ed.)

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THE IRISH POLICE BILL.

Freemason Prevision Repealed.

The Committee stage of the Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Bill was concluded in the House of Commons yesterday, an amendment being, accepted repealing the provision which allows the police to join the Freemason Societies, with the modification that it shall apply only to future members of the forces.

 

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SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

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Edited by JAMES CARSON.

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V.

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THE BATTLE OF LISBURN, 1641.

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"LISNEGARVEY,"
the 28th day of Nov., 1641.

"A brief relation of the miraculous victory gained there that day over the first formed army of the Irish, soon after their rebellion, which broke out the 23d of October, 1641.

(From the Cathedral Records.)

"Sir Phelemy O'Neil, Sir Connor Maginnis, their general then in Ulster Major-General Plunkett, (who had been a soldier in foreign kingdoms) having enlisted and drawn together out of the counties of Armagh, Tyrone, Antrim, and Down, and other counties in Ulster, eight or nine thousand men, which were formed into eight regiments, and a troop of horse, with two field-pieces; they did rendezvous on the 27th of November, at and about a house belonging to Sir John Rawdon, at Brookhill, three miles distant from Lisnegarvy, in which they knew there was garrison of five companies, newly raised, and the Lord Conway's troop of horse. And their principal design being to march into and besiege Carrickfergus, they judged it unsafe to pass by Lisnegarvy, and therefore resolved to attack it next morning, making little account of the opposition that could be given them by so small a number, not half armed, and so slenderly provided of ammunition, (which they had perfect intelligence of by several Irish that left our party and stole away to them) for that they were so numerous and well provided of ammunition by the fifty barrels of powder they found in his Majesty's store, in the castle of Newry, which they surprised the very first night of the Rebellion; also they had got into their hands the arms of all the soldiers they had murdered in Ulster, and such other arms as they found in the castles and houses which they had plundered and burnt in the whole province. Yet it so pleased God to disappoint their confidence, and the small garrison they so much slighted, was much encouraged by the seasonable arrival of Sir George Rawdon, who being in London on the 23d of October, hastened over by the way of Scotland; and being landed at Bangor, got to Lisnegarvy, tho' late, on the 27th Nov. where those new-raised men, and the Lord Conway's troop, were drawn up in the market-place, expecting hourly to be assaulted by the rebels; and they stood in that posture all the night, and before sunrise, sent out some horse to discover their numerous enemy, who were at mass; )it being Sunday) but immediately upon sight of our scouts, they quitted their devotion, and beat drums, and marched directly to Lisnegarvy; and drawn up in battalia, in the warren, not above a musket-shot from the town, and sent out two divisions, of about six or seven hundred apiece, to compass the town and plant their field-pieces on the highway to it, before their body, and with them and their long fowling-pieces killed and wounded some of our men, as they stood in their ranks in the market-place; and some of our musketeers were placed in endeavouring to make the like returns of shot to he enemy. -- And Sir Arthur Yerringham (governor of Newry) who commanded the garrison, and Sir George Rawdon, and the officers foreseeing if their two divisions on both sides of the town should fall in together, that they would overpower our small number. For prevention thereof, a squadron of horse, with some musketeers, was commanded to face one of them that was marching on the north side, and to keep them at a distance as long as they could; which was so well performed, that the other division which marched by the river on the south side, came in before the other, time enough to be well beaten back by the horse, and more than two hundred slain of them in Bridge street, and in their retreat as they fled back to the main body.

"After which expedition, the horse returning to the market-place, found the enemy had forced in our small party on. the north side, and had entered the town, and was marching down Castle-street, which our horse so charged there, that at least 300 were slain of the rebels in the street, and in the meadows behind the houses, through which they did run away to their main body; whereby they were so much discouraged, that almost in two hours after, their officers could not got any more parties to adventure upon us; but in the main space, they entertained us with continued shot from their main body, and their field pieces, till about one of the clock, that fresh parties were issued out and beaten back as before, with the loss of many of their men, which, they supplied with others till night; and in the dark they fired all the town, which was in a few hours turned into ashes; and in that confusion and heat of the fire, the enemy made a fierce assault. But it so pleased God, that we were better provided for them than they expected, by a relief that came to us at night-fall from Belfast, of the Earl of Donegall's troop, and a company of foot, commanded by Captain Boyd, who was unhappily slain presently after his first entrance into the town. And after the houses were on fire, about six of the clock, till about ten or eleven, it is not easy to give any certain account or relation of the several encounters in divers places in the town, between small parties of our horse, and those of the enemy, whom they charged as they advanced, and hewed them down, so that every corner was filled with carcases, and the slain were found to be more than thrice the number of those that fought against them, as appeared next day, when the constables and inhabitants, employed to bury them, gave up their accounts. About ten or eleven o'clock, their two generals quitted their stations, and marched away in the dark, and had not above 200 of their men with them, as we were informed next morning, by several English prisoners that escaped from them, who told us that the rest of their men had either run away before them, or were slain; and that their field-pieces were thrown into the river, or into some moss-pit, which we never could find after; and in this their retreat, they fired Brookhill house, and the Lord Conway's library in it, and other goods, to the value of five or six thousand pounds, their fear and haste not at all allowing them to carry any thing away, except some plate and some linen; and this they did in revenge to the owner, whom they heard was landed the day before, and had been active in the service against them, and was shot that day, and also had his horse shot under him, but mounted presently upon another: and Captain St. John and Captain Furley were also wounded, and about thirty men more of our party, most of whom recovered, and not above twenty-five or twenty-six were slain. And if it be well considered, how meanly our men were armed, and all our ammunition spent be fore night, and that if we had not been supplied with men, by the timely care and providence of the Earl of Donegall, and other commanders from his Majesty's store at Carrickfergus, (who sent us powder, post, in mails, on horseback, one after another) and that most of our new-raised companies, were of poor stript men that had made their escape from the rebels, of whom they had such a dread, that they thought them not easily to be beaten, and that all our horse (that did the most execution) were not above 120. vis., the Lord Conway's troop, and a squadron of the Lord Grandison's troop, (the rest of them having been murdered in their quarters in Tanragee) and about 40 of a country troop, and a company from Belfast that came to us at night. It must be confessed that the Lord of Hosts did signally appear for us, who can save with or without any means, and did by very small means give us the victory over his and our enemies, and enough of their arms to supply the defects of our new companies, and about 50 of their colours and drums. But it is to be remembered with regret, that this loss and overthrow did so enrage the rebels, that for several days and weeks after, they murdered many hundreds of the Protestants, whom they had kept prisoners in the counties of Armagh and Tyrone, and other parts of Ulster, and tormented them by several manners of death. And it is a circumstance very observable, that much snow had fallen in the week before this action, and on the day before it was a little thaw, and a frost thereupon it in the night, so that the streets were covered with ice, which proved greatly to our advantage; for that all the smiths had been employed that whole night to frost our horses, so that they stood firm, while the brogues slipt and fell down to our feet. For which, and our miraculous deliverance from a cruel and bloody army, how great cause have we to rejoice, and praise the name of our God, and say with that kingly prophet -- 'If it had not been the Lord himself who was on our side, when men rose up against us, they had swallowed us up quick, when they were so wrathfully displeased at us. Yea the waters of the deep had drowned us, and the stream had gone over our soul; but praised be the Lord who has not given us over a prey unto their teeth: our soul is escaped even as a bird out of the snare of fowler: the snare is broken and we are safe. Our hope standeth in the name of the Lord, who made Heaven and Earth." -- Amen.

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LISBURN CATHEDRAL CHARTER, 1662.

Copy of patent which erected the Church of Lisburn into a Cathedral for the United Diocese of Down and Connor, and empowered the Town of Lisburn to return two Burgesses to the Irish Parliament. The original of this document, in Latin, was in 1834 in the Hertford Estate Office.

"Charles II. by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all to whom these our present Letters shall come Greeting. WHEREAS we understand that the cathedral church of Down and Connor, in our province of Ulster, within our kingdom of Ireland, being at present not only ruinous and laid waste, but also were founded in inconvenient places and extreme parts of the several dioceses of Down and Connor, by means whereof, not only the service of God was much neglected, but the necessary meetings and assembly of the bishops and clergy in those places obstructed and impeded. AND WHEREAS the Church of Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie, in our county of Antrim, and diocese of Down, being situate near, the middle of the dioceses aforesaid, and now united, can more conveniently serve for a Cathedral church for the bishopricks aforesaid. KNOW YE, therefore, that WE being mindful of nothing more than that true religion and the true worship of God should flourish of our royal authority and by our authority, of Supreme Head of the Church of England and Ireland, which we enjoy of our special grace likewise with the assent and consent of our Right Trustie and Right Well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor, James, Duke of Ormond, our Lieutenant-General of our said kingdom of Ireland, and also according to the tenor and effect of our certain letters under our privy signet and sign, Manl. dated at our court at Whitehall, the 10th day of Sep. in the 14th year of our reign, and now inrolled in the rolls of our chancery of our said kingdom, have erected, created, founded, ordained, made, constituted, and established the said Church of Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie, and the place of the same church to be for over hereafter the Cathedral church and episcopal seat of the aforesaid several bishopricks of Down and Connor, and to continue for ever in all future times. And so to bo established, and for ever to be inviolably observed, WE will and command by those Presents. And that the said church of Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie, shall for ever hereafter be named and called by the name of the Cathedral Church of Christ Church of Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie, all shall use and enjoy all jurisdictions, rights, privileges, advantages, and immunities to a cathedral church belonging, or in any manner appertaining; and that the same church, with all and singular its rights and members, shall be the episcopal seat of the Bishop of Down and Connor, and his successors for ever. AND FURTHER, of our more ample special grace, and also with the advice and consent aforesaid, HAVE given and granted, and by these presents, for us, our heirs and successors WE do give and grant that the Dean and Chapter of Down, and their successors, and also the Dean and Chapter of Connor and their successors, from time to time, and as often as occasion shall require, can and may assemble and congregate themselves at the Cathedral Church of Christ Church aforesaid of Lisburne, alias Lisnegarvie, and there to make and constitute from time to time, such and the like ordinances, confirmations, acts, and statutes, as in the several ancient churches of assemblies of the said Bishopricks might and ought to appertain. And that all and singular confirmations, ordinances, statutes, and other acts, to be made by the several and respective Deans and Chapters aforesaid, and their successors in the said Cathedral Church of Christ Church of Lisburne, alias Lisnagarvie, shall be as good and valid in Law to all intents and purposes, as if the same was made in the several assemblies or churches of Down and Connor. And further of our more ample, special grace, and also with the advice and consent aforesaid for us, our heirs and successors, WE do will and grant, that the choyr and other officers and ministers serving in the cathedral church aforesaid, may have and receive out of the several impropriations appointed and granted by us for the augmentation of the revenues of the church, such allowances, pensions, stipends, and salaries for divine service to be performed in the cathedral church aforesaid, as the Lord Primate of all Ireland for the time being, and the Bishop of the Diocese for the time being, with the consent and approbation of the Lieutenant-General, or General Governor of our said kingdom of Ireland for the time being, shall see competent and convenient for celebrating devine service there, and their proper maintenance.

"AND WHEREAS we retain a sense of the many Losses which the Inhabitants of the said Town of Lisburne. alias Lisnegarvie, have sustained for their allegiance towards us and our Royal Father of Glorious Memory. KNOW YE THEREFORE that WE of our special grace, certain knowledge, and mere motion, for us our heirs and successors, Do Give and Grant to the dwellers and inhabitants of the said Town of Lisburne, alias Lisnegarvie, That they and their successors for ever hereafter, can, and may, from time to time, elect and choose two fit and proper persons to be Burgesses to attend, and sit in every parliament hereafter to be summoned, appointed, and held within our said kingdom of Ireland, And that, such persons so hereafter to be appointed to sit and attend in Parliament, as Burgesses for the said Town, can, and may freely, lawfully, and without fear, treat and consult of such maytters and things which to them there shall be set forth and declared, and thereupon to render their votes and suffrages as any other burgesses, of any other ancient Borough within our said kingdom of Ireland, might, or could do, or heretofore was accustomed to do. AND FURTHER WE will, and by these Presents for us, our heirs and successors, with the advice end consent aforesaid, and according to the tenor of our aforesaid Letters, Do strictly enjoin and command, that whenever a Parliament hereafter to be summoned in our said kingdom of Ireland, the Sheriff of us, our heirs and successors of our county of Antrim aforesaid for the time being, by virtue of a writ directed to him for the electing of knights, citizens, and burgesses for such Parliament, shall make and send his precept to the Seneschal of the Manor of Killultagh for the time being, (within which Manor the said Town is situate) for the making such election in and for the aforesaid town of Lisburne, alias Lisnegarvie, in the same form as such precept to any ancient Borough, in such case, was accustomed to be sent; which Seneschal, also, we strictly enjoin and command that such precept to him to be directed, in all things to execute, and to cause such election to be made, and to return in such manner and form as in any other Borough of our said kingdom of Ireland, usually, or anciently was made, or now ought to be done, notwithstanding that the Inhabitants of the said Town are not Incorporated, and any law, statute act, ordinance, or any thing whatsoever made to the contrary thereof, in any wise notwithstanding. Willing, moreover, and granting that these our letters Patent, or the Involvement thereof, shall be in and by all things firm, good, valid, sufficient, and effectual in the law against us, our heirs and successors, as well in all the courts of us as elsewhere, -- wheresoever within our said kingdom of Ireland, without any other confirmation, license, or tolleration from us, our heirs or successors, hereafter to be procured or obtained. Notwithstanding the ill naming, or ill reciting, or not reciting the said cathedral church, and notwithstanding any defect in the certainty of the premises, and any other thing, cause, custom, or statute, in any manner to the contrary notwithstanding. Altho' express mention of the true yearly value or certainty of the premises, or either of them, or of any other gifts or grants, by us or by any our progenitors, heretofore being made in these presents, any statute, act, ordinance, or provision; or any other thing, cause, or matter whatsoever, to the contrary of the promises in any wise notwithstanding. In witness whereof, we have caused these our letters to be made patent, witness our aforesaid Lieutenant-General of our said kingdom of Ireland, at Dublin, the 27th day of October, in the 14th year of our reign."

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SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE

RECORDS OF OLD LISBURN

AND THE MANOR OF KILLULTAGH.

-- -- --

Edited by JAMES CARSON.

-- -- --

VI.

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The Rev. John Wesley's Journal.
1769-1778.

John Wesley, M.A., Oxford, was born at Epworth, Lincolnshire, 17th June, 1703, and died in London 2nd March, 1791. He was founder of the religious body known as Wesleyan Methodists. Lisburn appears to have been visited by him five times between 1769 and 1778. That is, in 1769, 1771, 1773, 1775, and 1778. He would also appear to have visited Lisburn both before and after those dates. George Whitfield visited the town in 1751. John Wesley in 1756 preached in a small house in Bow Street. About 1774 the old Methodist Chapel was erected in a space leading into Smithfield, now known as Market Street. The old chapel stood where the Picture House now stands. Bayly in his history of Lisburn states that the ground on which the old chapel was built was granted for ever by Edward Gayer, Esq., of Derriaghy. Opposite the Wesleyan chapel, at the corner of Linenhall Street, was the Methodist Refuge Chapel. Bayly refers to it in 1834, a dissenting branch of the parent church. The present church, at the junction of Seymour Street and the Belfast Road, was erected in 1875. There is a tradition that on one of Wesley's visits to Lisburn he slept a night at Chrome Hill, Lambeg. The tradition runs that in the morning, after his night's rest, meditating in the garden, he idly entwined and interlaced the pliant and tender branches of a young tree. Be this as it may, in the garden at Chrome Hill, close to the entrance to the grounds, is an ancient tree with the huge branches interwoven and interlaced in a fantastic and grotesque manner.

Mr. Wesley visited Derriaghy several times, and evidently enjoyed his visits to the house of Mr. Gayer. He mentions preaching there under the shade of a venerable old yew tree. The Rev. C. E. Quin, Rector of Derriaghy, states that the site of Mr. Gayer's house is now occupied by the residence of Mr. John Hutcheson. It is situated on the side of a hill, a short distance below the church, and on the opposite side of the road from the church. The ancient yew tree is still strong and flourishing, and was visited by large numbers of Methodists in 1903. The Gayers appear to have been resident in Derriaghy for a long time. Former rectors of the parish bore the name. The Gayer of Wesley's time is believed to have been Secretary to the Irish House of Commons.

John Wesley was a man of extraordinary energy, vitality and enthusiasm. The story of his wanderings through the length and breadth of the land is considered at the present time as an invaluable record of the rural England of his day. His restless spirit and burning religious zeal found expression and outlet in travel and preaching. His Journals, published and unpublished, contain a minute record of his feelings, doings, experiences and impressions from day to day over a long period of years.

The Journal under review runs to some 420 pages, and was published in London in 1780. It was lent to the Editor by Mrs. George Wilson, Castle Street:

EXTRACTS.

Monday, April 3, 1769. -- I took horse at four; and notwithstanding the North-east wind, came to Newry before five in the evening. It was so extremely cold, that the congregation in the Market-house was but small. The next evening it was considerably increased.

Wednesday 5. -- I rode to Terryhugan, where the poor people had raised a tent (so called) to screen me from the North wind. I urged them with much enlargement of heart, Not to receive the grace of God in vain. Thence we rode to Lisburn. The wind was still piercing cold: yet it did not hinder a multitude of people from attending at the Linen-hall, an open square so termed, as are all the Linen-halls in Ireland.

Thursday 6. -- I designed to preach at noon in the Market-place at Belfast. But it was pre-engaged by a Dancing master: so I stood in the street, which doubled the congregation, to whom I strongly declared, All have sinned, and are come short of the glory of God.

Coming to Carrickfergus, I found it was the time of the Quarter Sessions. This greatly increased the congregation. And most of them seemed to be deeply affected, rich as well as poor.

Friday 7. -- I preached at eleven, and I believe, all the gentlemen in the town were present. So were all at Newtown in the evening, while I inforced those solemn words, God now commandeth all men, every where, to repent.

Saturday 8. -- I returned to Lisburn, where I was agreeably surprised by a visit from Mr. Higginson, Rector of Ballenderry. He said, "I was prejudiced in favour of the Moravians, settled in my parish, till the late affair. One of my parishioners, Mr. Campbel, died, leaving by Will his fortune to his two daughters, and in case of their death, a thousand pounds to the poor of the parish. His widow was extremely ill; notwithstanding which, some of the Brethren, to whom she was quite devoted; came in the depth of winter, and carried her by night, several miles, to their house. She died in a few days, after she had made her Will, wherein she made two of them executors, a third guardian to the children; and in case of their death, left the whole estate to the Brethren. They concealed her death six days. Mean time two of them went to Dublin and procured letters of administration, and of guardianship. Soon after I was pressed, to undertake the cause of the orphans. I went to Dublin and laid the affair before the Lord Chancellor, who after a full hearing, cancelled the second Will, and ordered the first to stand."

At my leisure minutes yesterday and to day, I read Mr. Glanvil's Sadducisms triumphatus. But some of his relations I cannot receive; and much less his way of accounting for them. All his talk of Aereal and Astral Spirits, I take to be stark nonsense. Indeed, supposing the fact true, I wonder a man of sense should attempt to account for them at all. For who can explain the things of the invisible world, but the inhabitants of it?

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This day (24th June, 1771) I entered the sixty-ninth year of my age. I am still a wonder to myself. My voice and strength are the same, as at nine and twenty. This also hath God wrought.

Saturday 29. -- I preached at the end of the market-house in Tondragee.

Sunday 30. -- At Nine, the people flocked from all parts; but much more at Six in the Evening, when we had a London congregation, both for number and seriousness.

Monday, July 1. -- I preached at Killwarlin, where a few weeks ago Thomas Mott died in peace. In the Evening I preached in the Linen-hall at Lisburn, to a numerous congregation.

Tuesday 2 -- I preached on the green at New-town. But the people had not the spirit of those at Lisburn.

Wednesday 3. -- At Ten, I preached to a small congregation, a mile from Belfast, and in the market-place there at Twelve. I never saw so large a congregation there before, nor one so remarkably stupid and ill-mannered. Yet a few should be excepted, even gentlemen, who seemed to know sense from nonsense. I have found as sensible men at Dublin as at Belfast: but men so self-sufficient I have not found.

Thursday 4. -- I preached near the market-house, Glenarm, about Noon, to a large number of decent hearers; but to a much larger, in the market-house at Ballimena, in the Evening.

Friday 5. - I rode, to Ballinderry, and found an earnest, simple-hearted people. A great multitude here received the word, with all readiness of mind. A specimen of the society consisting of about fifty members I had in the house where I dined; wherein a father and mother, with a son and five daughters, were all walking in the light of God's countenance. Afterwards I prayed with an ancient woman, while a little girl, her grandchild, kneeling behind me, was all in tears, and said, "O grand-mama, have you no sins to cry for, as well as me."

Monday, June 14, 1773. -- After preaching at Lurgan, I enquired of Mr. Miller, whether he had any thoughts of perfecting his speaking statue, which had so long lain by? He said, "He had altered his design: that he intended, if he had life and health, to make two which would, not only speak, but sing hymns alternately with an articulate voice: that he had made a trial, and it answered well. But he could not tell when he should finish it, as he had much business of other kinds, and could only give his leisure hours to this." How amazing is it that no man of fortune enables him to give all his time to the work!

I preached in the Evening at Lisburn. All the time I could spare here, was taken up by poor patients. I generally asked, "What remedies have you used?" And was not a little surprized. What has fashion to do with physic? Why, (in Ireland at least) almost as much as with head-dress. Blisters, for any thing or nothing, were all the fashion, when I was in Ireland last. Now the grand fashionable medicine for twenty diseases, (who would imagine it?) is mercury sublimate! Why is it not an halter or a pistol? They would cure a little more speedily.

Saturday 19. -- I declared to a loving people at Ballinderry, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Many of them experienced this; and many felt their wants; several children in particular. In the Evening I preached at Lisburn, and on the two following days.

Monday 21. -- I met a gentleman, who looked hard, and asked me, "If I did not know him?" Indeed I did not tho' I had been at his house some years ago in Londonderry. Mr. Sampson was then one of the ministers there, a lively, sensible, man; very fat, and of a fresh, ruddy complexion. But he was now, after a long and severe melancholy, so thin, pale and wan, that I did not recollect one feature of his face. I spent an hour with him very agreeably. He did not shew the least touch of wildness, but calm, rational seriousness: so that I could not but believe, it is good for him, that he has seen affliction.

-- -- -- -- -- --

Friday, June 16, 1775. -- In going to Lurgan, I was again surprised, that I could not fix my attention on what I read: yet while I was preaching in the evening on the Parade, I found my mind perfectly composed; although it rained a great part of the time, which did not well agree with my head.

17. -- I was persuaded to send for Dr. Laws, a sensible and skilful physician. He told me, "I was in a high fever, and advised me to lay by." But I told him, "That could had a not be done! as I had appointed to preach at several places, and much preach as long as I could speak." He then prescribed a cooling draught, with a grain or two of Camphor, as my nerves universally agitated. This I took with me to Tandragee: but when I came there, I was not able to preach: my understanding being quite confused, and my strength intirely gone. Yet I breathed freely, and had not the least thirst, nor any pain from head to foot.

I was now at a full stand, whether to aim at Lisburn, or to push forward for Dublin? But my friends doubting whether I could bear so long a journey, I went strait to Derry-Aghy, a gentleman's seat on the side of a hill, three miles beyond Lisburn. Here nature sunk and I took my bed; but I could no more turn myself therein, than a new-born child. My memory failed as well as my strength, and well nigh my understanding. Only those words ran in my mind, when I saw Miss Gayer on one side of the bed, looking at her mother on the other,

"She sat, like patience on a monument:
"Smiling at grief."

But still I had no thirst, no difficulty of breathing, no pain from head to foot.

I can give no account of what followed for two or three days, being more dead than alive. Only I remember it was difficult for me to speak, my throat being exceeding dry. But Joseph Bradford tells me, I said on Wednesday, "It will be determined before this time to-morrow;" That my tongue was much swoln, and as black as a coal; that I was convulsed all over, and that for some time my heart did not beat perceptibly, neither was any pulse discernable.

In the night of Thursday, the 22, Joseph Bradford came to me with a cup, and said, "Sir, you must take this." I thought, "I will, if I can swallow, to please him: for it will do me neither harm nor good." Immediately it set me a vomiting: my heart began to beat, and my pulse to play again. And from that hour, the extremity of the symptoms abated. The next day I sat up several hours, and walked four or five times across the room. On Saturday I sat up all day, and walked across the room many times, without any weariness. On Sunday I came down stairs, and sat several hours in the parlour. On Monday I walked out before the house: on Tuesday I took an airing in the chaise: and on Wednesday, trusting in God, to the astonishment of my friends, I set out for Dublin. I did not determine how far to go that day, not knowing how my strength would hold. But finding myself no worse at Banbridge, I ventured to Newry. And after traveling thirty (English) miles, I was stronger than in the morning.

-- -- -- -- -- --

Monday, June 15, 1778. -- I left Downpatrick with much satisfaction, and in the evening preached in the Linen-hall at Lisburn, to near as large a congregation as that in the Grove, but not near so much affected. Afterwards I went to my old lodging at Derry Aghy, one of the pleasantest spots in the kingdom: and I could relish it now! How does God bring us down to the gates of death, and bring us up again!

Tuesday 16. -- T preached at eight to a lively congregation, under the venerable old Yew, supposed to have flourished in the reign or King James I. if not of Queen Elisabeth.

Wednesday 17. -- At eleven, our brethren flocked to Lisburn from all parts, whom I strongly exhorted, in the Apostle's words, "To walk worthy of the Lord." At the Love-feast which followed, we were greatly comforted; many of the country people declaring with all simplicity, and yet with great propriety both of sentiment and expression, what God had done for their souls.

Thursday 18. -- I preached at Ballinderry, (in my way to Lurgan) where many flocked together though at a very short warning. We had four or five times as many in the evening at Lurgan: but some of them wild as colts untamed. However they all listened to that great truth, "Narrow is the way that leadeth to life."

Sunday 28. -- I am this day seventy-five years old, and I do not find myself, blessed be God, any weaker than I was at five-and-twenty: this also hath God wrought!

All this week I visited as many as I could, and endeavoured to confirm their love to each other; and I have not known the Society for many years so united as it is now.

-- -- -- -- -- --

AN APPRECIATION.

(To the Editor of The "Lisburn Standard.")

Dear Sir, -- Those interested in the local history of our town and neighbourhood are under a great debt of gratitude to Mr. James Carson for republishing in your columns the extracts from the book written by Sir. John Moore Johnston in 1839, and known as "Heterogenea," and also for his own editorial notes on the book itself. It is right and proper that as much of the local history as can be authentically proved should be narrated in your columns, until some day the history of the town will be published in a more permanent form. The local facts dealing with the town are set forth in many books, journals, and pamphlets, and it would be a pity not to connote these carefully; and I have no doubt that under the skilful editorship of Mr. Carson these data will be vividly chronicled. The late Bishop Reeves in his "Ecclesiastical Antiquities" tells us that the Marquis of Hertford was the owner of 60,000 acres comprised in the two Manors of Killultagh and Derryvolgie. In the Church inquisitions or enquiries Killultagh was called "Sylva Ultonienais" -- the Wood of Ulster -- and that in the 17th century this territory of Killultagh formed part of the County of Down and was a territory per se. It contained the parishes of Ballinderry, Aghalee, Aghagallon, Magheramesk, Magheragall, and portion of Blaris north of the Lagan. Of course since the 18th century it forms part of the County Antrim.

Knox in his History of Down says that in the reign of James I. Lisburn was an inconsiderable village, and that it was entirely owing to Edward, Viscount Conway, to whom King Charles I. granted the remainder of the Manor of Killultagh, a portion having been previously granted to his ancestor, Sir Fulke Conway, by the same monarch. The grant of Edward, Viscount Conway, conferred certain rights and privileges of holding courts-leet and courts-baron, and other courts for the recovery of small debts up to £2 and a court of record for sums not exceeding £20. These courts-leet were held regularly by the Seneschal appointed by the Lord of the Manor, the last one being appointed by the late Sir Richard Wallace, who was the sub-agent and genial gentleman, Mr. Claude L. Capron. His predecessor was, I believe, Mr. Gregg, who resided at Derryvolgie, Lisburn. Under the Hertford leases, the lessees covenanted to attend these courts and pay the leet, which amounted to 8d for every head tenant and 4d for every under-tenant. Some attempts were made some time ago to trace the records of these ancient courts, but they were unsuccessful. A court was also held at Lambeg for the Manor of Derryvolgie, but its records seem to be non-existent. These courts are how no longer held, but they still exist in some English towns. Some of the charges borne by the courts-leet were the upkeep of the bye-roads on the estate and the cost of the ringing of the curfew bell, now kindly defrayed by the Cathedral Parish.

The Battle of Lisburn, 1641, is very interesting reading, and a literal copy of the minutes from the old vestry book of the then Parish Church (now and since 1662 the Cathedral), in the language of the day, is given in Volume I. of the Archæological Journal (old series). It may he mentioned that Sir George Rawdon, one of the heroes of that battle, resided at Brookhill House, subsequently the residence of that gallant old Irish gentleman, the brave Commodore Watson, who is buried in Magheragall Parish Church, and until recent years also the residence of Mr. W. J. B. Lyons, J.P., D.L. In a footnote appearing in the Journal it states that one of the insurgents, Ever Magennis, son of Rory Oge Magennis, was killed in this battle.

Lisburn Tokens.

I have often considered whether any of the inhabitants of the town are possessed of the old tokens used as mediums of exchange or money in the 17th century. Lisburn had several traders then using these tokens -- at least, according to authorities, eight distinct tokens were known to be in existence. In Volume 3 of the Archæological Journal (old series) a drawing is given of one issued for 1d by Mr. Oliver Taylor in Lisnegarvie, dated 1658. Could any reader furnish any information on the matter either to Mr. Carson or myself?

I thought this letter might prove interesting as an addenda to the excellent and copious notes of Mr. Carson. -- Yours faithfully,

JOSEPH ALLEN.

=========================

THE WAR.

-- -- -- --

Allies Doing Well In Balkans,

-- -- --

But Roumania Hard Pressed

-- -- --

Great Artillery Duel on British Front.

-- -- --

Further Local Casualties.

Following close on the glorious news early this week that the Allies had retaken the important Servian town, Monastir, came the depressing information, unfortunately since confirmed by Allied communiques, that the Germans had entered Craiova, if anything, a more important town in South-western Roumania.

This morning's news states that the enemy has been reinforced north of Monastir, but that all his fierce counter-attacks have been defeated. The chief news from Roumania comes from enemy sources. The Germans seem to have got very little at Craiova except railway wagons. A Sofia report states that the Romanians have destroyed the bridge at Corabia, and also stores of cartridges.

The great artillery struggle continues on the British front, not only on the Ancre and Somme but also at Ypres, Armentieres, Messines, and Loos. The enemy on Wednesday were more active in the air, and, crossing our lines, lost four machines.

The chief activity in the French sector was also aerial. Guynemer brought down his twenty-second enemy machines, and bombarding aeroplanes harried the enemy's positions about the Somme.

The Russian communique chronicles merely the unusual rifle fire with an increase of artillery fire in certain sectors like the Narajuvka; while things are comparitively quiet on the Italian Front.

URGENT NEED OF MEN.

General Sir Wm. Robertson says the need is urgent for more men of military age. There is no doubt of our ability to win the war if we put our back into it, but we have, not done that yet.

Answering Colonel Craig in the House of Commons last night Mr. Asquith said he was not at present in a position to make a statement with regard to the Government's intention to extend the Military Service Acts to Ireland.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

ANOTHER LISBURN FAMILY BEREAVED.

Officer Who Fought as Private.

Lisburn's war toll continues to mount up. This week among those bereaved is the Sinclair family, Rosslyn, Antrim Road, who have received official intimation that Mr. J. H. Sinclair was killed in action on the 31st ult. The news came as a surprise to many, as but few were aware that Captain Sinclair was at the front and fighting as a private. His mother and other members of the family have received many messages of sympathy in their bereavement. In a reference to Captain Sinclair's death the "Belfast News-Letter on Wednesday said:--

One of the romances of the war lies behind the announcement in our obituary column this morning of the death in action of Private John Hamilton Sinclair, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. For Private Hamilton was also Captain "Jack" Sinclair, to give him the name by which he was best known to the people of his native town, Lisburn, and to hosts of friends in Belfast as well. Educated at Campbell College, he entered the Ulster Bank after his schooldays were finished, but he had soldiering rather than banking in his blood.

When the South African war broke out in 1899 he and Lieut.-Colonel Holt Waring were the first volunteers from Ulster to join the Irish Hunt contingent organised by the late Earl Longford. He did splendid service at the front, obtaining both a commission and a mention in despatches. Before the war closed he was promoted captain, but a severe accident cut short his career in the army. After his health had been restored he emigrated to Canada, where he was engaged in business up till the outbreak of the present war. The news that hostilities had been declared did not reach Captain Sinclair, who was in out-of-the-way part of Saskatchewan till the latter end of August, 1914, but he promptly travelled 3,000 miles at his own expense, and managed to join the first Canadian contingent as a private shortly before it sailed. On arrival in England he was granted a commission and posted to a reserve battalion of the Cameronians. Captain Sinclair made application after application to proceed to the front, but the doctors, as a result of his accident in South Africa, would not pass him as fit for active service. Finally he obtained leave to relinquish his commission, and immediately enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders as a private. By some means he managed to get round the doctors, and was drafted to the fighting line, were for eighteen months he had been in the thick of things, and, as his letters home showed, neither hardships nor horrors could daunt his spirit. The news of his death will come as a heavy blow to his friends, who were legion, for few men had a greater gift for friendship; but they know that he died as he would have liked to die, in a great fight and for a good cause. Captain Sinclair was a brother of Mr. Thomas Sinclair, J.P., chairman of Lisburn Urban Council, and of Mr. William Sinclair, clerk to Lisburn Board of Guardians. Another brother, Dr. R. L. Sinclair, is serving in the R.A.M.C. in Mesopotamia.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

SECOND-LIEUTENANT W. C. BOOMER WOUNDED A SECOND TIME.

Second-Lieutenant Walker C. Boomer, Royal Irish Rifles, son of Mr. Richard W. and Mrs. Boomer, Knockmore House, Lisburn, has been wounded a second time and his name figured on the official casualty list on Monday. Fortunately his injuries are not of a serious nature, and after having them attended to at a field dressing station he went back to and remained on duty in the trenches. He has written to his mother from "a sea of mud" making light of his wounds. Second-Lieut. Boomer is an old Intermediate Schoolboy. Prior to the war he took a keen interest in the Ulster Volunteer movement, and was identified with the 1st Lisburn Battn. He received his commission in the South Antrim Battalion of the Rifles in January, 1915. He was previously wounded in September last.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LIEUT. F. R. WEBB WOUNDED.

Lieutenant F. R. Webb, Royal Irish Rifles, reported wounded, is a son of the late Mr. C. J. Webb, J.P., of the Old Bleach Green, Randalstown, and brother of Mr. W. H. Webb, J.P., and the late Captain O. B. Webb, of the South Antrim Regiment, who was mortally wounded in the Ulster Division attack on 1st July. His cousin, Captain G. W. Webb, Royal Flying Corps, was recently killed in action. Lieutenant Webb was associated with the U.V.F. in Randalstown, and joined the South Antrim Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles on its formation after the outbreak of war. It Appears that while he was asleep in his dug-out a shell blew it up, and although he escaped bodily injury it was found necessary to send him to hospital suffering from shell-shock.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

BIGGEST RED CROSS SHIP SUNK.

-- -- --

Britannic Falls a Victim to Mine or Torpedo.

-- -- --

DR. J. L. RENTOUL ON BOARD.

-- -- --

Anxious Relatives as Yet without News.

-- -- --

The Secretary of the Admiralty made the following startling announcement on Wednesday:--

The British hospital ship Britannia was sunk by mine or torpedo yesterday morning the 21st, in the Zea Channel, in the Ægean Sea.

There are 1,106 survivors, twenty-eight of whom are injured.

It is estimated that about fifty are lost.

Further official details this morning state that 100 injured have been landed at Keratsini Bay and the Piræus. The first list of victims among the crew is published this morning. There are no local names. The only local man, so far as we can ascertain, on board the ill-fated vessel was Captain J. L. Rentoul, of Railway Street. Lisburn. It was stated in at least one daily paper that he was left at Salonica, but there is absolutely no doubt that the genial doctor was on board.

Up to the time of going to press his anxious wife and other relatives have received no news. We sincerely trust it will soon come, and that it will be good news.

We have made arrangements to learn the moment anything definite comes through about the Doctor, and this will be immediately posted up in our window.

Largest Liner Flying British Flag.

The Britannia was the biggest liner flying the British flag, and was intended to replace the ill-fated Titanic. She was built by Messrs. Harland and Wolff at Belfast, and was completed in February, 1914. She was subsequently taken over by the Admiralty as an hospital ship. She had a tonnage of 48,158. Her dimensions were: --

     Length ................ 852ft. 0in.
     Breadth ................ 94ft. 0in.
     Depth .................. 64ft. 3in.

The great ship had passenger accommodation for 2,500 people (790 first-class) and crew accommodation for 950.

Among the features of the vessel were electric elevators, a gymnasium, a children play-room, a palm court, Turkish and electric baths, a racket court and a swimming bath. Electricity was extensively used throughout the ship, the power station being as great as that in many provincial towns. The vessel carried forty-eight of the largest-size lifeboats. With a horse-power of 450,000, there 159 furnaces and twenty-nine boilers in the ship, while the liner's four funnels rose to a height of 180ft.

Questioned in Parliament yesterday, Mr. Asquith said the only additional information received was that there were no wounded on board. They had as yet no official information as to whether the vessel was mined or torpedoed.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LOCAL MEN ON OFFICIAL CASUALTY LISTS.

-- -- --

The official casualties, (all privates unless otherwise stated) reported this week included:--

ROYAL IRISH RIFLES.
Wounded.
Second-Lieut. W. C. Boomer, Lisburn.
16992, L.-Corpl. R. Beattie, Lisburn.
4580, J. Smith, Lisburn.

Prisoner of War.
734, R. M. Porter, Lisburn.

Died of Wounds.
2255, J. Waring, Lisburn.

ROYAL IRISH FUSILIERS.
Wounded.
13029, B. Close, Lisburn.
8546, J. M'Gowan, Lisburn.
12647, J. Webb, Lisburn.

ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS.
Wounded -- Shell-shock.
28343, R. Irvin, Dunmurry.

IRISH GUARDS.
Killed.
6528, Sergt. R. M'Carthy, Lisburn.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

LISBURN WOMAN LOSES ONLY SON.

The death (from malaria) is confirmed of Lance-Corporal William Huddleston, Royal Irish Fusiliers, which took place at Alexandria. The deceased soldier was only seventeen years of age, and was the only son of Mrs. Elizabeth Huddleston, 40 Church Street, Lisburn.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

ANOTHER LISBURN SOLDIER KILLED.

Official news has been received by Mr Thomas Haire, Llewellyn Avenue, that his brother, Private Samuel Haire, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 15th inst. Deceased was the youngest son of the late Mr. Thomas Haire, who prior to his death worked in "Hilden." Deceased himself, who was only twenty years of age, was before the war a Civil Service clerk in Dublin.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

OTHER LOCAL CASUALTIES CONFIRMED.

Official intimation has been received by Mrs. Minnie Towman, Tanaghbrick, Lisburn, that her husband, Private Henry Towman (Ulster Division), was killed on 1st July last. He leaves a widow and two children.

Mrs. Sarah Kingsberry, Low Road, Lisburn, has been officially notified that her husband, Private George Kingsberry, Royal Engineers, died from wounds at the Clearing Hospital on 10th inst.

Mrs. Neill, Sandymount, Ballyskeagh, has received official notice that her husband, Private Wm. M'Neill (previously reported missing and wounded), was killed at the Dardanelles on 21st August last.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

SOUTH ANTRIM'S NEW ADJUTANT.

The appointment of Captain C. C. Canning, Royal Irish Rifles, of Crumlin, to be adjutant of the South Antrim Battalion. R.I.R., has been gazetted. Captain Canning obtained his commission in this battalion on the 11th September, l914.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

ORANGEMEN AND CONSCRIPTION.

At a largely-attended meeting of the Grand Orange Lodge of County Armagh the following resolution was unanimously adopted:--

That we regret that the Government has not seen fit to put recruiting in Ireland upon the same basis that it is on in England and Scotland, and we pledge ourselves to support any measure which Parliament may adopt to organise the man-power of Ireland. We strongly object to Irishmen of military age obtaining employment in England and Scotland during the war.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Co. Tyrone has adopted a similar resolution.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

GOOD NEWS FROM EAST AFRICA.

Writing home to his brother (one of our employees) a local soldier serving in East Africa says:--

I cannot give you much news, but we are winning, and I expect the fighting will soon be finished in this place. Then we might get a chance of going to France. I like to get the "Lisburn Standard." It gives all the local news, and is a splendid little paper.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

DEATH OF AUSTRIAN EMPEROR.

End of a Tragic Life.

Francis Joseph, Emperor of Austria died on Tuesday night, in his 87th year and the 68th year of his reign.

He is succeeded by his grand-nephew, the Archduke Charles Francis Joseph, aged 29, son of the Archduke Otho, who was brother of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, whose assassination at Sarajevo in 1914, it will be remembered, formed the pretext, for the present terrible war.

The late Emperor was King of eight States as well as holder of nearly forty other titles, and his death removes from the world one of the most tragic figures that ever bore the burden of sovereignty. His whole life was one long tragedy, and over his House -- the ill-fated Hapsburgs -- the grim shadow of death has hovered for generations. Wife, son, brother and Imperial heir each met a violent death -- in two instances at the hands of the assassin -- and his reign, punctuated with warfare, has ended while his unfortunate country is engaged in the greatest conflict the world has ever known.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

THE NEW EMPEROR TO CONTINUE THE WAR.

The new Emperor of Austria, in a proclamation to his people, asserts his intention to continue the war till peace with honour is secured. The War and Foreign Ministers have been confirmed in their posts.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

POSTHUMOUS HONOURS.

The Secretary of the War Office forwards the following for publication:--

It appears from the headings in the Press that the army order issued on the 28th October with reference to the presentation to the next-of-kin of decorations awarded to fallen officers and soldiers has created a wrong impression. As has been stated in the House of Commons, the order relates only to those officers and soldiers who had been awarded a decoration during their lifetime but who died before actually receiving the insignia; also it deals only with the method of disposal of the insignia.

-- -- -- -- -- -- --

IRELAND AND RECRUITING.

Premier and the Figures for Connaught.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Major Newman (U.) asked whether the Prime Minister was aware that less than 2 per cent, of the men of military age in the province of Connaught had joined up, and had the Government any proposal with regard to recruiting in Ireland.

Mr. Dillon followed with a question whether large numbers of men from Connaught had not enlisted in the British Army while working in England.

The Prime Minister replied that the figure was nearer 20 than 2 per cent.

Mr. Devlin asked whether some better occupation could not be found for a major in the army than asking questions reflecting on his own country.

No answer was returned.

 

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