196 PRACTICABILITY OF IMPROVING IRELAND. 



Many of the rivers in Ireland are well calculated to promote both 

 interests. An intelligent engineer has shown, that, in one district of 

 20 miles in diameter, there are several rivers, with from 40 to 50 feet 

 of fall, upon an average, on every mile of their lengths; and it has 

 been calculated that this fall would produce an effect equal to 

 11,428 steam engines, of 25 horse power each ; which was, at the 

 time, equal to all the steam engines then in Great Britain. Thus, 

 in one circle of only 20 miles in diameter, nearly as much water 

 power is available for mechanical purposes as all the steam engines 

 of Great Britain were capable of producing. 



There is a group of mountains and waste lands, comprising about 

 155,500 acres, within a very few miles of the city of Dublin, upon 

 which we are told there are neither inhabitants nor cultivation. 

 Within this district there is water power sufficient for upwards of 

 100 mills, so near Dublin that the residents might attend the mar- 

 kets in the metropolis without inconvenience. I am convinced that 

 there are more sites for mills in Ireland than would supply the 

 whole United Kingdom, with a population five-fold its present 

 number. 



But capital requires security: would you know how to ob- 

 tain it ? Only let the government settle the state, act with a firm 

 mind, and rule with a wholesome coercion. 



Coercion, in Ireland, would be liberty for the deluded, over- 

 born, and deserted peasantry ; because it would unnerve the arm of 

 the agitator and the assassin. And then security would import ca- 

 pital and beget employment. It follows then that a ruling power is 

 a d&iderahtmfor Ireland. 



Closely connected with the River improvements are the harbours 

 and sea coasts, I might add, the Fisheries, as they well amalgamate. 

 l>ut on these subjects, I find I must be very brief. 



In appreciating the advantages of coast improvements, we are to 

 consider what they would procure, Istly, increase of Trade; 2dly, 

 extension of fisheries; 3rdly, diminution of smuggling, 4 thly em- 

 bankment of valuable lands, and 5thly, increase of employment; 

 these results at once point out the vast importance of extending the 

 accommodations, which the natural harbours of Ireland afford. 



All such improvements, especially on the eastern coast of Ireland, 

 would tend to encourage the commercial intercourse between these 

 islands ; and such intercourse ought to be carefully cultivated, be- 

 cause every person engaged in it, would give additional security to 

 the friendly communication and connection between the two countries. 

 To be concluded in our next. 



