i87 



in fhort, all the materials of architeflure, wood only excepted, in tlic 

 greateft profufion. 



Such are the climate, foil, and natural produftions of this ifland — mean- 

 time, her extended fliores are deeply indented, with innumerable creeks, 

 and bays ; while the immenfe quantities of fi(h, which fwarm on her 

 coafts, powerfully excite the induftry of the people to maritime exertion, 

 by the opulence which they offer to the fifherman, and the profufion 

 of delicious, cheap, and nutritive proviCons, which they prefent to the 

 inhabitants, in general. 



Let us now turn to the natural advantages of Ireland, with refpeft 

 to foreign relations and commerce. — Her fituation is peculiarly favour- 

 able to the encouragement of induftry, and advancement of productive 

 labours ; placed, as it were, between the new and the old world ; com- 

 municating readily with all parts of the former, contiguous to the ftiores 

 of the richeft diftrifts of the latter, it feems defined by nature, to en- 

 joy a confiderable portion of the commerce between both. The local 

 circuraftances of an infular fituation — a multitude of commodious har- 

 bour opending on every fide of the ifland — numerous rivers — navigable 

 or capable of being rendered navigable, combine with the advantages 

 of its relative pofition, to favour the induftry and commerce of Ireland. 

 Add to this, that the ports of Ireland are never frozen up, in win- 

 ter ; and that ftie poflefl'es capacious and fafe harbours, opening im- 

 mediately on the Atlantic ocean, without the difficulty, danger and de- 

 lay of a channel navigation. An advantage this, which no other coun- 

 try of Europe pofTefTes, France and Spain excepted. 



Ireland, from her peculiar fituation, ftiould be the great depot of 

 provifions and manufaftures, for the Wejl Indian colonies, which occu- 

 pied by their lucrative agriculture, (an agriculture, which affords few, 

 if any of the neceffaries of life) and the fubfequent preparation of the 

 valuable commodities, which they fend to us, require to be fed and 

 cloathed, by the old world ; and depend, not only for moft of the 

 luxuries and comforts, but even for moft of the fimpleft necefTaries of 

 life, on the parent country. 



( A a 2 ) A fomewhat 



