Londonderry, he said, was the only important post held by the Protestants; and even Londonderry would not, in his judgment, hold out many days.
At length James was able to leave Cork for the capital.

On the road, the shrewd and observant Avaux made many remarks.

The first part of the journey was through wild highlands, where it was not strange that there should be few traces of art and industry.

But, from Kilkenny to the gates of Dublin, the path of the travellers lay over gently undulating ground rich with natural verdure.

That fertile district should have been covered with flocks and herds, orchards and cornfields: but it was an unfilled and unpeopled desert.