89
OBSERVATORY, PALACE, MALL, FOLLY, WALKS AND DRIVES.

T was due to the wonderful liberality of Primate Robinson that the city became possessed of an Observatory. He founded and endowed it with lands in 1793, making the buildings extensive enough to provide comfortable quarters for the Astronomer. The Observatory stands on one of the hills, north by east from the ancient Cathedral, and by its green domes becomes a most striking feature in the view of Armagh from many points. About twenty acres are included in the grant. Owing to the death of Primate Robinson, in the year following the erection of the Observatory, the necessary instruments were not fully provided for. Lord John George Beresford, who succeeded to the Primacy in 1822, spent about £3,000 in making good the deficiency. In 1884 the Government granted £2,000 to partly repair the loss in revenue occasioned by the Church Disestablishment. Soon afterward a dome was put up in the grounds for an equatorial reflector, ten inches aperture, by Sir Howard Grubb. Hitherto meridian observation had engrossed the attention of the Astronomer and his Assistant. The results were published in two catalogues of stars, 1859, 1886, both of which can be seen at the Armagh Public Library and in the Library of the Armagh Philosophical Society. The Observatory is under the control of a Board of Governors, of which Primate Knox is Chairman. Dr. J.L.E. Dreyer, F.R.A.S., is the present Astronomer, and Rev. Charles Faris, M.A., L.C.E., Assistant Astronomer. The appointment of Astronomer is made by the Primate, subject to the approval of the Astronomer Royal for England.
Until the time of Primate Robinson, the Archbishop of Armagh, was not provided with a place of residence in keeping with the revenues of the office. In the evil times, when nothing was left of either city or churches, a precedent was formed for living elsewhere in the diocese, and for a considerable space the Primates had palaces at Drogheda and Termonfeckin, in the County of Louth. During St. Patrick 's time the Primatial residence was situated on a part of the hill crowned by the Cathedral. Bishopscourt, in Mullinure, north north-east of the city, was a residence, and it is recorded that there were rooms for the Archbishop in the Culdee Priory. When Dr. Robinson was appointed Primate, the residence was in English Street. He built the present palace in 1770, and shortly afterward a chapel, close to it, in the Grecian style of architecture. 91
Numerous plantations then started in the splendid demesne, are still maintained, adding greatly to the beauty of the scenery surrounding the city. Primate Stuart walled the demesne at a cost of £20,000, reserving for his successors in the See the privilege of sharing in this needful expenditure. Lord John George Beresford, appointed to the Primacy in 1822, raised the palace from three to four stories, thereby greatly increasing the dignity of the structure. There are three entrances to the demesne. At the upper end the ground ascends to a point called Knox 's Hill. On this there is an obelisk, erected by Primate Robinson in 1783, to perpetuate the memory of his intimacy with the Duke of Northumberland, through whose instrumentality he had been translated to Armagh from the Bishopric of Kildare. The obelisk is 113 feet in height, and it is due to Dr. Robinson 's memory to say that its erection was suggested as a means of honourable employment for the people of Armagh during a time of severe distress. The view from Knox 's Hill is not surpassed by any other at Armagh, but a more extensive one is obtained from the Cathedral tower. The lands surrounding the palace became a demesne by Act of Council, dated 1769. Until then the residence of the Archbishop had not been legally transferred from Drogheda. One of the interesting places in the demesne is St. Bride 's Well. It is situated on the right side of the avenue from Palace Row, at a distance of about two hundred yards. An arch was built over it and an iron door put up for protection against cattle. The present Primate, Most Rev. Robert Bent Knox, D.D., occupies the Palace, but in order that it may be available for residence by his successors, a fund was being promoted at the beginning of this year, 1888. This was rendered necessary through changes arising out of the Disestablishment of the Church.
The Mall is really the only park at Armagh always open to the people. It includes eight acres of the valley, at both sides of which are situated the public buildings that give to the city its distinctive character. In the less favored period, before the advent of Primate Robinson, this ground was a swampy common and the handsome road now surrounding it was a race-course. By an Act of the 13th and 14th George III. it was granted to the Lord Primate for useful purposes: In 1797 Primate Newoombe, successor of Primate Robinson, leased it to the Sovereign and Burgesses, for the purpose of being transformed into "a public walk for the people." This was accomplished by subscription, in a creditable manner. The frees then planted, and some afterward added by a citizen, are now of majestic proportions. Football and cricket matches are played on the green, and the country in town feature is furnished
the presence of grazing cattle. One of the guns captured during the war with Russia, 1854, mounted on its carriage,

93
occupies such a conspicuous place, that while reminding of strife, it also helps thoughtful persons to appreciate the advantages of peace. The Mall trustees are Rev. W. M. Morgan, LLD.; H. Davidson ; J. G. Winder, J.P.: T. A. Prentice, and Hugh Boyle, J.P.
A beautifully-planted glen, known as The Folly, owned by Col. George Dobbin, is generously given over by him to the use of the public. By the aid of a dozen or more stout fellows he succeeds in preserving his proprietary rights by closing on the 18th of June every year. The Folly is a popular resort in winter as well as in summer. A small stream passing through, in order to supply motive power to two or three mills, serves in its impoundings to form several cascades. These are framed by the spreading branches of giant trees, and with plenty of water and occasional glimpses of sunshine, form exceedingly pretty pictures.
All the roads from Armagh bring into view objects to interest tourists. Look-out points are frequent in every direction, and, either in walking or driving, a great deal may be seen and a few days most agreeably spent.