272 
ment to the linen manufactures of that kingdom,”—and thus a 
real Irish grievance was perpetrated. Fortunately for Ireland 
about this period the linen manufacture began to enter upon a 
prosperous career. 
In 1699, Louis Crommelin, a wealthy French refugee, and a 
number of other refugees, settled in the north of Ireland. The 
Huguenots had in their native land been chiefly employed in the 
manufacture of silk, and the finer fabrics of linen. They com- 
menced similar manufactures in the land of their adoption, and 
imparted to those around them the skill and energy which they 
had been wont to exercise in France. About this date, an Act 
had been passed by the Cromwellian Parliament prohibiting the 
importation of French linen. Consequently the demand for such 
goods had largely increased in Ireland and Great Britain. 
Louis Crommelin, on arriving in Ireland, was at once chosen 
as the leader of his brother exiles. In that position he exercised 
a powerful influence over the future fortunes of the linen trade. 
The looms on which the weavers of Ulster then wove their linen 
webs were of a very primitive construction, and very ineffective in 
their operations. Crommelin brought over with him a number 
of Dutch looms. These he greatly improved; and also made 
great improvements in the spinning wheels. He also invested 
10,000 from his own private resources. This King William III. 
repaid by a grant of #800 per annum as interest on the 
capital for twelve years. In addition to this grant, Crommelin was 
also allowed an annuity of “100, and £120 to three assistants, 
each of whom had a particular district to attend to. At one 
period of the season he watched over the culture of flax, at another 
he inspected the spinning and weaving departments, and through 
the summer his visits were frequently made to the bleach fields. 
The death of William III. deprived Ireland of one of its most 
liberal patrons. Soon after the accession of Queen Anne to the 
throne, the imperial treasury refused the annual grant to Louis 
Crommelin. This was a most disgraceful proceeding and breach 
of faith, as the annuity could not be called a Royal pension, but a 
sum paid as interest on the capital which Crommelin had invested 
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