Wesley Corpus

Thur. July 1.--There is just such a work here as was some years since at Athlone. The whole town is pleased, but few are convinced. The stream runs very wide, but very shallow. Sun. 4.--I read prayers and preached at Ballyheen, Mr. E ’s other church. The congregation at Castlebar in the afternoon was larger than ever before. In the morning, Monday, 5, the greater half of them were present, and we had a solemn parting. In the afternoon we came to Hollymount, some years since one of the pleasantest places in Ireland. Dr. Vesey, then archbishop of Tuam. fixed on this spot, nine miles from his see, built a neat commodious house on a little eminence, laid out fruit and flower gardens round it, brought a river to run through them, and encompassed the whole with walks and groves of stately trees. When he had finished his plan, round a stone pillar, which stands in a bason surrounded by a small green plat of ground, he placed the following inscription :-- Linquenda tellus, et domus, et placens Uxor, cum numerosé et speciosa prole, Chard chare matris sobole : Neque harum, quas colis, arborum Te, preter invisam cupressum, Ulla brevem dominum sequetur ! [Your house, and land, and charming wife, with your numerous and beautiful children, the beloved offspring of their beloved mother, must be left behind: nor, of these trees which you cultivate, will any except the hated cypress,* follow you, their short-lived owner.] I was just going to preach in the church yard, when Mr. C. sent his son with the key of the church. Almost half the congregation were Papists, whom all the threats of their priest could not keep away. Not !* Among the ancient Romans, a branch of cypress was placed at the door of deceased persons. The cypress tree was also sacred to Pluto, (the fabled king of nell,) because when once cut it never grows again.] oe oe ne , Hag re a bY z oan eed ; 610 REV. J. WESLEY’S JOURNAL. [ July, 1756.