193 . 



But the grand defideratum of Ireland, with regard to the progrefs 

 of all manufaftures, is fuel. Abftrafted from a confideration of the 

 health and comfort of the mere individual, in which point of view, 

 firing mud be confidered as a mod important neceffary of life ; there 

 is no manufafture, or trade, in which fire is not requifite. In mofl 

 it is an adive inftrument, either through the whole, or in feme par- 

 ticular part of the procefs. 



Not to fpeak of glafs and potter's ware, of iron works, founderies, 

 and the various branches of hard ware, that work on metallic fubftances ; 

 of breweries, diftilleries, and the manufaftures of foap and candles ; in 

 all of which fire is obvioufly a chief agent. Quantities of fire are necef- 

 fary to the linen manufaaure ; — without fire the fpinfter cannot fpin ; 

 — the weaver cannot weave in frofty weather ;— machinery cannot be 

 kept in order without /r^. The boiler, the hot calendar, for glazing 

 linens, diapers, and cottons, require large quantities of fuel. Fire alfo 

 is employed, in a great degree, in many parts of the cotton manu- 

 fiiiflure, particularly in finiQiing velverets, corduroys, and other goods 

 of that kind, fome of which are dreffed in a very intenfe heat over 

 hot plates of iron. In the woollen manufacture, the operation of pref- 

 fing cloaths requires a flrong heat, the dyer's vat requires a large 

 fupply of fuel. Copper-plate printing through all its branches, re- 

 quires the afliftance qf fire. Even carpenters, and cabinet-makers re- 

 quire the afliftance of fire, in many parts of their work. Shoe-makers 

 cannot work in frofty weather, without the help of fire to preferve 

 their leather pliable, and their wax of a proper temper. Book-binders, 

 giUcrs, and many other artifts and manufacturers, who might be enu- 

 merated in this place, employ fire in almofl every procefs of their trades ; 

 and againft all thefe the fcarcity of fuel operates, as a heavy tax 

 on the exertion of their induftry, and an obftinate impediment, to the 

 progrefs of their manufaftures. But what are thefe to the ruinous 

 influence of an hod of abfentees warring againft their profperity? 



I hope I Ihall be excufed this digreflion. The defiderata, and dif- 



advantages of a country ought to be taken into account, as well as 



Vol. IX. ( B b ) its 



