i83 



■ In confidering the natural advantages of any country, it is fcarcely 

 poiTible to feparate that confideration, from a view of its acquired ad- 

 vantages. Some countries, it is true, there are, mod happily circum- 

 ftanced, and highly favoured by nature, which neverthelefs poflefs very 

 few acquired advantages ; but fuch inftances may obvioufly be referred 

 to fome radical vice, in the form of government, or grofs corruption 

 in the adminiftration on the other hand. Through the operation qf 

 freedom and good government, fome countries, with very few natural, 

 have attained to very great, and many acquired advantages ; but, if 

 all other circumftances are alike, that country will poflefs the greateft 

 acquired, which has been the mod highly gifted with natural advan- 

 tages. 



That country may be faid, to have improved its natural advantages, 

 to the utmoft ; and to poflefs acquired advantages, in the highefl per- 

 feftion, where agriculture and manufactures proceed, hand in hand, with 

 even and harmonized pace ; and where a regular intercourfe with fo- 

 reign nations enfures a conflant exchange of its fuperfluities, (whether 

 neceflaries and luxuries of life, or the prime productions for the ufe 

 of manufadure) for other neceflaries of life, for the crude materials 

 of profitable manufactures, or for money. 



Sect. 2. 

 Of the natural Advantages of Ireland in particular. 



The climate of Ireland is mild, temperate, and falubrious, perhaps 

 equally fo, with that of any other country in the world. Its chief 

 peculiarity is a predominance of moifliure, but this does not appear to 

 be in any degree injurious to health, and may be productive of fome 

 advantages, as we fliall have occafion to remark, in the progrefs of 

 this efl!ay. 



According to Toung'% opinion, the natural fertility of Ireland is, 

 acre for acre, fuperior, to that of England. The greatell Angularity 

 of the ifland, fays that attentive obferver, is the rockinefs of the foil, 

 but thefe rocks are clothed with grafs, Thofe of lime-ltone, with a 



thin 



