The British Isles.
1796. The scenery of the country, and the sublimity of its views, so very different from what we had been used to in the old country.—Fra., Baily, F.R.S., ‘Journal of a Tour,’ p. 172 (Lond., 1856.)
1817. It gives them an opportunity of making enquiries respecting the “old country” (the term usually applied to the British Islands.)—John Bradbury, ‘Travels,’ pp. 320–1. (N.E.D.) (Italics in the original.)
1857. I once knew a man in this Church who told me that, when he was in the old country, he would, if possible, spoil his work, in order to be employed to do it again.—Brigham Young, Nov. 22: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ vi. 72.
