PRACTICABILITY OF IMPROVING IRELAND. 231 



" tal, and with it enterprise and exertion in the fisheries, in agriculture 

 u and foreign trade, have been introduced into Cunnemara, (a district 

 "in Galway Co., before these improvements so lawless that the 

 " king's writs were set at nought) now cargoes of foreign produce are 

 " imported direct into this western peninsula; fish and marble expor- 

 " ted. Prior to 1822, the peasantry were in rags and in want of most 

 " of the conveniences of life ; the majority of these living 40 miles re- 

 " mote from any market town, and without means to purchase. Since 

 " the harbour of Clifton, in Cunnemara, and the road to it have been 

 " made, the peasantry are well clad, and bring to it a variety of arti- 

 " cles for sale, and never depart without some purchase/' But it would 

 appear as if every thing, in Ireland, were to be ruled by contradictions, 

 and thus we see on that part of the coast, where there are many towns 

 there is a proportional deficiency of improved harbours. While on 

 the western coast, and where else there are many excellent natural 

 harbours, there is a plentiful lack of towns. But it is fairly to be 

 apprehended that, if fisheries were established, and advantage taken 

 of the rich fishing banks, within sight of the Irish shores, every defi- 

 ciency would be rapidly supplied. And there is little doubt but 

 that when capital and enterprize shall be directed to this " mine under 

 water" we shall have our natural harbours well supplied with towns ; 

 and our harbourless towns furnished with suitable ports. 



Flourishing fisheries are the natural foundation of safe navigation, of 

 commerce, and of impregnable wooden walls. Yet, although Ireland 

 is said to contain more harbours than the remainder of Europe; 

 although there are about 140 inhabited islands on her coasts, with a 

 population of about 50,000 souls, hardy and honest, and entirely 

 dependent upon the ocean; still, for want of due attention, all these 

 great advantages are lost ; so that at least seven eighths of the ship- 

 ping employed in the Irish trade belong to Britons and foreigners. 

 Even the number of Scotch ships alone amounted, in the year 1830, 

 to 3228; those of Ireland to not more than 1413. 



I trust that I have not failed in showing that means are at hand, 

 to put in practice that which would make our sister as bright and 

 glorious as ourselves : 



That the people of Ireland are not, by nature, deficient in those 

 moral qualities which, by cultivation, would raise them to the high- 

 est in the scale of civilization : 



That all we require is security and encouragement, to realise all 

 the resources, both internal and external, which her soil and com- 

 mercial position so hopefully display. 



