The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1904-09-03
THE OLD COUNTRY.
Mr.. Sam Aird, Of BOgue ChittO,
Visits the Scenes Of His BOyhOod.

before leaving and failed to do so
/ thought | would drop you few
lines by way of redeeming my
character.
| left New Orleans BY one Of
the Leyland boats on the 18th Of
May and after pleasant voyage
of II days arrived in Liverpool
safe and sound. Nothing of any
great Importance occurred on the
trip as we ploughed the great
ocean day by day, sometimes
passing or meeting a sailing ship
or steamer. We passed the time
reading, smoking or promenading
the deck watching the flying fish
and Mother Caley's chickens, :"
a wonderful little bird which fol-
lows in the wake Of ships in
Southern waters. They followed
US for several thousand miles un-
til too cold fol them.
The ocean is a great study in
it self, vast and boundless, al
ways changing the water in the
Gulf of Mexico. The Southern
ocean is a deep blue, caused by
the coral bottom, but in higher
latitudes is deep green.
We arrived in Liverpool on the
4th of June. left the same eve
ming for Belfast, sail of 12O
miles over the Irish sea, and next
morning planted my feet on the
Emerald Isle after an absence of
"a years-the dear old land of
many strifes, and producer of
many brave soldiers, poets, ora
tors and statesmen. Well, sir, |
found many changes; old friends
gone, few of the people I remem-
bered remaining; a younger gen
Grafton filling their places. / have
had many pleasant days since /
arrived visiting friends and places
of interest, old historical spots
with which the country abounds;
abbeys and monasteries where the
ancient monks used to live and
worship. They were great pow
er in this country at that time and
chose the most beautiful places to
erect their buildings, often near
the sea with bills and valleys sur
rounding. Some of these places
were founded in the year 100.
The walls which remain are very
high; roofs built with stone in the
form Of arches. The ruins are
now very picturesque being Gov
cred with Ivy. In the graveyard
adjoining we saw some very old
tombstones, some being dated
1000 in a good state of preserva-
ton.
Space will notalIow me to en-
ter into details, so / will hurry to
the part of County Down where |
was raised. 1t is a beautiful part
of the country on the mouth of
Belfast lough and on a bill COM
manding view of County Antrim
and the Scotch coast, which is at
nearest point, q miles distant.
The County Down is. dotted with.
farm houses which are white wash 1
ed and glitter in the sun. Both
coasts are adorned with lovely
summer residences built with
brick and stone. The architec-
ture is pleasing and beautiful flow
ers are cultivated in the gardens
attached. The scenery in Belfast
Tough is a beautiful panoramas.and
| think would compare fagorably
with any scenery in the world.
Belfast is a city of 400, 900 in
habitants, her ship building and
linen being famous all the world
over. As | came into the harbor
! saw launched the largest ship in
the world, the Baltic,o at pres
ent carrying passengers and cargo
between Liverpool and New York.
The crops have not been so good
for years; and the farmers are
looking forward to great in
gathering. The fax is pulled and
in some cases watered and dried.
The weather this month has been
wet and very little heat.
The country seems to me to be
very much improved; fields well
cultivated and beautiful green
grass everywhere. The cattle are
Of the finest breed and as far as I
can Judge the North IS il a pros
porous state. am staying with
my brother who visited America
last year. He is at the sea side
for the summer months. We go
fishing every evening and catch
fresh fish in salt water. 1t is fine
sport. The evenings are long af-
ter sunset, it being clear until To-
o'clock in June and July. If you
think this letter suitable for pub
lication, some Of the folks at home
would like to see it.
/ leave for home on the 9th.
I shall return BY New York. Kind
regards to Mrs. Hobbs, Messrs.
Vim. and Martin MeGrath and
all enquiring friends in Brookha-
ven and Bogue Chitto. Wishing
you all prosperity, ] remain,
Your friend,
SAM'L ARD.