230 



an extenfive circuJation, as fcarcely any other fingle manufafture ever 

 did, or now can boaft, and, notwithftanding fome flight variations, muft 

 maintain the linen trade of Ireland, in a flate of unexampled profpe- 

 rity. 



I cannot fubfcribe to an obfervation, which I find adopted by the 

 late ingenious Dr. Crump ; from Mr. Hutchefons pamphlet, on the com- 

 mercial rejlralnis of Ireland. — He reprobates the idea of making the linen 

 manufafture general, throughout this kingdom, and lays it down, as an 

 axiom, that no populous and commereial country, ever fubfifled on one 

 manufacture alone. — The example of ancient Egypt, fhould lead us, to 

 queflion the founJnefs of this maxim, Egypt carried on but one ma- 

 nufafture, that of fine linen, with which flie fupplied the whole world, 

 in thofe days; or if we fliould think that of Papyrus, fufficiently im- 

 portant to be taken into account; flie fubfifted on two manufaftures, 

 and no more, in addition to her agriculture; and fubfifted in great wealth, 

 ftrength, and glory. It may be doubted, indeed, whether Egypt was 

 ftridly a commercial country, as (he did not export her own produc- 

 tions, the Egyptians having a fuperftitious abhorrence of the fea, but 

 Egypt was certainly a moft flourifliing and populous country, and car- 

 ried on a great export of her productions, in foreign bottoms. I think 

 therefore, her example fufficicnt, to prove the alTertion ill founded. I 

 am apt to think that Ireland by the fertility of her foil, and the bent 

 and habits of induftry now fettled in her people; is not only qualified, 

 but inclined to become the Egypt, of modern commerce. — The linen manu- 

 fafture is making a rapid progrefs in the province of Connaught ; in one 

 county — Mayo, — there are already three great linen marts, namely. Weft- 

 port, Caftlebar, and Ballinrobe. — In Munfter, great quantities of coarfe 

 linens are made. — So far was the legiflature of Ireland from ading on 

 fuch ideas, as influenced thefe writers, that they have endeavoured, to 

 diffiife the linen manufacture, as widely as poflible, and eftablifli it ge- 

 nerally throughout the kingdom — for this purpofe a law* pafl"ed; " that 

 *' when a convenient piece of ground could be procured, in the 

 {hire or county town, of any county, in the provinces of Leinfter, 



Munfter, 

 * 19. Geo. 2d. cap 6. ^ 32. 



