gotten, during the late indescribable difficulties and sufferings, under the rubbish of the City and the scarcely halfmouldered bodies of slain companions in arms—of men who fought and bled side by side on our ramparts—were, again, during the Episcopate of a succeeding Bishop (King,-from 1690 to 1702,) fanned into a flame.*-On the termination of the Siege

1690 The Rev. Robert Craighead was elected by the Congregation vice Robert Rule, who returned to Scotland.

1713--James Blair.

1718-Samuel Ross.

1737-David Harvey.

1742-John Hood.

1775-David Young, (afterwards D. D.) 1784-Robert Black, (afterwards D. D.) 1803-George Hay.

1819-John Mitchel.

1825-William M'Clure. 1839-Henry Wallace.

The Meeting-House of the second Presbyterian Congregationt (formerly of the Secession, but now in connexion with the General Assembly. This Building stands off Fountain-street (without the Walls) in a very retired locality, not being seen from the street. It was erected in 1783, and is a plain edifice, both externally and internally, but well-seated, and has a good gallery. It affords accommodation for about five hundred persons. The Clergyman now, is the Rev. James Crawford. A new House is in progress, (which promises to be substantial, but the site is very low, being on reclaimed ground,) off the Strand road, leading to the Pennyburn.

The Meeting-House of the third Presbyterian Congregation. -This is a recent erection-finished by subscriptions in 1837, and stands in an eligible situation in the suburb, Edenballymore, off Great James's-st. It is a large, rectangular Building, and very substantial, being built chiefly of chiseled whin-stone. The entrance is very respectable, consisting of

It is not our province to introduce polemical disquisitions:-they who please may refer to Dr. King's pamphlets and to the Rev. Mr. Craighead's Replies.

+ The order,-first, second, &c. is in accordance with the date of the erection,

four Ionic columns and four pilasters, with flags, &c. all of cut free-stone. The interior is well finished, and well furnished with seats, has an excellent gallery, and accommodates about 1200 persons. The Clergyman is the Rev.

James Denham.

The Meeting-House of the fourth Presbyterian Congregation (lately of the Secession.)—This house is situated in the lane hitherto known as "the Widows' Row," and is constructed out of a portion of that which was once the Derry Theatre. The Rev. Mr. Reid is the Clergyman.

[Though the three following are not in connexion with the General Assembly, yet we are inclined to give them a place in this section.]

The Meeting-House of the Reformed Presbyterians, or Covenanters.—This building, erected in 1810, is in Fountainstreet, not far off that of the Old Secession; and in construction and situation, resembles it very much, with the exception of the gallery. It is, however, well seated, and accommodates about 300 persons. The Clergyman, at present, is the Rev. Mr. Nevin.

Another Meeting-House of the same persuasion has been lately erected at the Waterside. It is a neat, substantial Building, and has a respectable tower, (but not a spire,) at one end. The situation is very eligible. The Rev. Jacob Alexander is the Clergyman.

The Independent Chapel is situated off Ferryquay-street, in a very retired locality. It was erected in 1824, and is a neat house, well finished in the interior, with a gallery over the entrance, and accommodation for about 350 persons.The Clergyman, at present, is the Rev. Mr. Jennings.

IV. Methodist Chapels.

The Primitive Wesleyan Methodist Chapel is situated below Butcher's-gate, in Magazine-street. It was, we believe, originally a store, but was converted into a Preaching-house in 1765, on the first visit of John Wesley to Derry in 1765; and, on that account, the term "Primitive," has been latterly applied to it. The Preacher is not permanently settled.

The New Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, which was raised by subscriptions in 1835, adjoins the East Wall, within the

City. The situation and entrance are most eligible. The front of the house is Doric, and is tastefully executed. The interior is respectable and well seated, and affords accommodation for about 650 persons. The Preachers are not permanently settled.

CHAPTER XVI.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS. The Corporation-Hall or Town-House, of late, their "Majesties' Exchange.”

This edifice occupies the site of an older building, in the centre of the Diamond. The original Town-House was erected by the Londoners in 1622. We are not certain as to the style of that building. In consequence of its having sustained, during the Siege, so much battering from guns stationed to the west of the City; and also from bombs cast from Strong's orchard, on the north-east, it was considered unfit for farther use.

The present House, before it was metamorphosed into Corporation-Hall, was erected in 1692-3, from a plan designed by Captain Francis Neville, a meritorious Engineer Officer, whom we already had occasion to notice.* The demolition of the original Town-house having been represented to their Majesties, William and Mary, the following has been found attached to Captain Neville's plan :—“ The former Town-Hall being destroyed in the late Siege by ye enemies bombs, upon application made to their Majeties King William and Queen Mary, by the Corporation of Londonderry, they were graciously pleased as a mark of their favour to give a largess of £1500 towards ye building an exchange, ye repaires of the church, gates, and walls, of ye City, appointing the Mayr Aldermen, and burgesses, to dispose of ye money to that use, which trust they most faithfully discharged to the best advantage; and to promote this great and good undertaking, the gent of the grand jury for the City and County were pleased to grant an ap

* Captain Neville was one of the officers deputed by the Council sitting in Derry, on the 17th of April, 1689, to proceed to the head quarters of King James, at Saint Johnstown, that they might learn what the terms were which he wished to propose, "to prevent the effusion of christian blood."

plottment of £300 towards finishing the Exchange, with the court of judicature, guard-house, gaurd (guard) chambers, common council-room, grand and petty jury roomes; of which building the above is the proper front."

In addition to the preceding "A warrant was issued to the wood-rangers, to supply six tons of timber towards rebuilding the Market-house, repairing the gates and other public buildings in Derry, at the usual rates." And soon after, it appears, "120 tons of timber, and 40,000 laths were allowed for building the Town-house." In the spring of 1692, “their Majesties' Exchange," or Town-house, was commenced by the Corporation, which building remained entire until 1823, when it was transformed into the present edifice "Corporation-Hall." Their "Maiesties' Exchange" was rather of lively appearance, having possessed some architectural variety: the hall or common-council-room stood over seven arches, resting on massive columns, three arches in each side, and one in the end fronting Ship-quay-street: on the south side of the upper story was a small balcony with their Majesties' Arms blazoned in miniature. The ground floor was well flagged with chiseled stone, elevated, and formed a pleasant promenade in wet weather: on the market-days this was occupied as the meal-market and by pedlars' stalls: the stocks and the pillory stood near the south-east corner of the lower gable; which we saw in operation. On the ground floor of the upper end, facing the south, were the Mayor's office and the guard-house; and on the west, was the weigh-house. As there was then no Session or Court-House, the large hall above was occupied as the Crown-court, and the less hall as the Nisi-prius Court; and between them was the Grand Jury-room.

In the present building, on the first floor, is the Mayor's Office, and adjoining it is a convenient kitchen for the cooking of public dinners, &c. The large Hall now is entirely appropriated as the Common Council-room, and for Public Dinners, Balls, Concerts, Public Lectures, Exhibitions, &c.-Upon the whole, the building affords most convenient and excellent accommodations; but with respect to architectural variety or beauty, the exterior exhibits a nondescript: yet, it appears, it is the only "free-burgage," with

* Concise View. + Over the Town-house stands the old Townclock, which is, we understand, about to be "ensconsed in a new case,"

X

out "bog and barren mountain," conferred as a boon, for long-tried and acknowledged loyalty, on the "Maiden City," once regarded as the acropolis of Ireland, the successful defender of British freedom and religious liberty!

The Jail.-The first Prison in Derry, at the commencement of the Colony, was situated in the Diamond, on the west corner of Butcher's-street. This one was succeeded by another erected over the Ferry-gate in 1676, and into which the harshly-treated and exasperated Citizens and garrison caused Lord Netterville, Sir G. Aylmer, Colonel Talbot, and their fellow-prisoners, to be immured for some time during the Siege. The next Jail was built in 1791, and is the same in front, with some improvements, as that which is now to be seen in Bishop's-street, without the walls. The length of the front is 242 feet, and is of considerable elevation. It exhibits a good deal of architectural variety, more so than any other building in the City, with the exception of the Court-House, the Cathedral, and Bishop's-gate.* The style is Gothic, battlemented on the top, with castellated towers,--flankers,-more recently erected, which have added considerable effect to the general appearance. In the rear of the front, now the debtors' prison, another has been erected-finished in 1824, by Messrs. Henry, Mullins, and M'Mahon. It is of a circular form, and extends from the

The first stone of this beautiful Arch (Bishop's gate,) which, according to its extent, cannot, we are convinced, be surpassed by any thing of its kind in Britain, was laid by Thomas Bateson, Esq. ancestor of our present Baronet and fellow-citizen, on the 7th of December, 1789.(O. S.) the centenary commemoration of the Siege, in the presence of the Earl of Bristol, Dean Hume, Doctor M'Devitt, (the Roman Catholic Bishop,) the Corporation, and a vast concourse of the citizens, military, &c. It was designed as a triumphal Arch to the memory of King William III. by and at the expense of the Corporation, with the concurrence of the Irish Society. On each side is a lateral passage and on the summit was originally a platform, on which stood a pedestal, (both long since removed,) and intended to bear a statue of that Monarch. The key-stones of the Arch are each ornamented with a warrior's head and over each lateral passage is a tablet exhibiting military devices. The plan was designed by the late Henry Baker, Esq. R. H. A. and was executed by the celebrated sculptor, the late, Edward Snyth, Esq. The Gate has lately received considerable repairs, with some railing, &c. at the expense of the Irish Society.(A new Gate is, we understand, now about to be opened through the Wall, near the Butter-market, leading from Magazine-street.)