Flamsteed's father, despairing of any remedy for his son
from the legitimate branch of the profession, despatched him to
Ireland on August 26th, 1665, he being then, as recorded with
astronomical accuracy, "nineteen years, six days, and eleven hours
old." The young astronomer, accompanied by a friend, arrived on a
Tuesday at Liverpool but the wind not being favourable, they remained
there till the following Friday, when a shift of the wind to the east
took place. They embarked accordingly on a vessel called the SUPPLY
at noon, and on Saturday night came in sight of Dublin. Ere they
could land, however, they were nearly being wrecked on Lambay
Island. This peril safely passed, there was a long delay for
quarantine before they were at last allowed on shore. On Thursday,
September 6th, they set out from Dublin, where they had been
sojourning at the "Ship" Hotel, in Dame Street, towards Assaune,
where Greatrackes received his patients.
[PLATE: FLAMSTEED'S HOUSE.]
Flamsteed gives an interesting account of his travels in Ireland.
They dined at Naas on the first day, and on September 8th they
reached Carlow, a town which is described as one of the fairest they
saw on their journey. By Sunday morning, September 10th, having lost
their way several times, they reached Castleton, called commonly Four
Mile Waters.
Pages:
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170