his death, he walked from his home to Galway and back the same day, which is a distance of twenty-six miles. He could to the last read the smallest print, without the assistance of glasses (which he never accustomed himself to), with as much ease as a boy of sixteen. He was looked upon by the most intelligent statistics of Ireland, as possessing the brightest genius for agricultural improvement.
THOMAS COOTE,
Of Coote Hill, in the county of Cavan, is eminently entitled to a place amongst the Worthies of Ireland, for his patriotic exertions in improving and encouraging the linen manufacture, the source of so much wealth and prosperity to his country. At the Revolution, the value of the annual export of linen did not exceed 6000l. ; but he had the happiness to live to see it exceed a hundred times that sum.
This gentleman was brought up to the bar, and was admitted counsellor at law in Ireland in 1684. In April 1693, he was made one of the justices in the court of King's Bench. In 1733 he took his seat in Parliament, as member for the county of Monaghan. He died April 24, 1741, at Coote Hill, and was there buried.
SIR CHARLES COOTE,
Afterwards created Earl of Mountrath, was the eldest son of Sir Charles Coote, who was made a baronet in 1621. The unhappy commotions of the period in which he existed, gave full employment to the military and political talents which he so eminently possessed. In January 1642, he was besieged in Castle Coote by twelve hundred men, under Con O'Rourke, and defended himself so gallantly therein, that his enemies soon found it advisable to withdraw themselves. Not long after he defeated
