239 



in the light of a manufafture well eftabliflied In the country ; and in 

 which the people have acquired competent ikill, from their having ex- 

 ercifed it a long time. Strong motives thefe, to induce the legiflature 

 to view it with favourable eyes, and bcftow on it fome portion of their 

 care, and fomp degree of encouragement. 



It mufl not be concealed, however, that the woollen manufafture 

 labours under ferious difadvantages ; and has formidable difficulties to 

 encounter, in its progrefs to perfeftion and profperity. It has been 

 deprived of its reputation, that immediate jewel of a manufafturc, as 

 well as of a mind. It has been caft down, from its ftation of emi- 

 nence, and no longer poffefles that good name, which is fuch an im- 

 pofing pafTport to the foreign mart ; and now the powerful rivalfhip 

 of France and England make it very difficult, for the woollens oi Ire- 

 land to find a place in the markets, which are preoccupied by the fu- 

 perior Ikill and capital of the neighbouring countries.* 



The want of capital in Ireland, is a dead weight, that hangs on 

 the woollen manufafture, as well as on many others, and retards all 

 advances to improvement and profperity. The finer branches of this 

 manufacture require large flore-houfes, extenfive tenter-fields, great ranges 

 of buildings, for the different operations of the manufacture — work- 

 fliops — drying lofts— dying houfes— vafl quantities of materials mull be 

 accumulated, a variety of complete and expenfivc machinery muft be 

 erefted. To provide all eftablifhments on fuch a large fcale, as alone 

 makes a manufafture profitable, a confiderable capital is requifite. Add 

 to this, that the important and coflly materials, Spanifti wool, and 

 dye-fluffs are had at the worft hand. 



The want of fuel, which prevails in many parts of Ireland, mult 

 operate, to prevent this manufafture from becoming as general, as it 

 might otherwife prove ; both by rendering the country lefs populous in 

 the diflrifts, which labour under this inconv-enience ; and by the en- 

 creafe of expence, which it neceffarily induces, in feveral proceffes, as 



the 



* Notwithftanding the diftrafted ftate of France, the woollen manufadlures at AUcviUe 

 md elfewhere, are faid to be in a flourifhing ftate. 



