[Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (2 of 2) (1888) by William Henry Hurlbert]@TWC D-Link book
Ireland Under Coercion (2nd ed.) (2 of 2) (1888)

CHAPTER XVI
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If Belfast were not the busiest and most thriving city in Ireland, it would still be well worth a visit for the picturesque charms of its situation and of the scenery which surrounds it.

At some future day I hope to get a better notion both of its activity and of its attractions than it would be possible for me to attempt to get in this flying visit, made solely to take the touch of the atmosphere of the place at this season of the year; for we are on the very eve of the battle month of the Boyne.
Mr.Cameron, the Town Inspector of the Royal Irish Constabulary, met me at the station, in accordance with a promise which he kindly made when I saw him several weeks ago at Cork; and this morning he took me all over the city.

It is very well laid out, in the new quarters especially, with broad avenues and spacious squares.

In fact, as a local wag said to me to-day at the Ulster Club, "You can drive through Belfast without once going into a street"-- most of the thoroughfares which are not called "avenues" or "places" being known as "roads." It is, of course, an essentially modern city.

When Boate made his survey of Ireland two centuries ago, Belfast was so small a place that he took small note of it, though it had been incorporated by James I.in 1613 in favour of the Chichester family, still represented here.


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