DOWN, a county of Ireland in the province of Ulster, bounded on the east and south by St George's channel; on the west by the county of Armagh; and on the north by the county of Antrim. It lies opposite the Isle of Man, Cumberland, and Westmoreland; and the north part of it fronts the Mull of Galloway in Scotland, and is about 44 miles from it. It is about 44 miles in length and 30 in breadth. It sends 14 members to parliament, two for the county, and 12 for the following boroughs, Down-Patrick, Newry, Newtown, Killeleagh, Bangor, and Hillborough.
This county is rough and full of hills, and yet the air is temperate and healthy. The soil naturally produces wood, unless constantly kept open and ploughed; and the low grounds degenerate into bogs and moss, where the drains are neglected. But by the industry of the inhabitants it produces good crops of corn, particularly oats; and, where marl is found, barley.
This last is exported from Killough to Dublin. The staple commodity of this county is the linen manufacture.