240 



the dying, the preffing, &c. of the woollen fabricks, for which a con- 

 fiderable application of fire is ncceffaiy. 



But the grand difadvantage is the fuperior price and fcarcity of wool 

 in this country, and the prefent inferior quality of the Irifli fleece, to 

 whatever caufe we mud afcribe the change. Toung, in his tour makes 

 the average price of wool in Ireland ly. %d. while its average price 

 hi England is but pj. 3^. the flone ; a difference of 47 per cent. What 

 an influence this mufl: have on the price of the manufa(flure is obvi- 

 ous. In iaft, it is fuch an advantage, in favour of the EngUJh manu- 

 fafturer, as mud nearly if not fully countervail tliofe, which the arti- 

 fans of Ireland enjoy, in the cheapnefs of provifions, and lightnefs of 

 taxes. But flill worfe, our woo! is not now fit for the manufadure 

 of broad-cloths.* 



Another difadvantage under which Ireland labours, is a deplorable 

 deficiency, in many branches of ufeful knowledge, which might be made 

 fubfervient to the profperity of the woollen manufafture. The fcience 

 of mechanics is in an imperfeft ftate here, compared with what it is in 

 England. Chemiltry is little Itudied, and its principles are known to 

 few in this country ; yet both thefe parts of fcience may be employed 

 to the mod important purpofes, in the woollen manufafture ; by the 

 application of the mechanic powers in machinery ; and by improving 

 the art of dying, through an examination of colours, their properties 

 and efFcfts. 



* Yet Ireland is fitted by nature, to produce excellent wool. The fcarcity of the com- 

 modity may be explained, from the great quantity of flieep-walk now turned into tillage ; 

 the bad quality of the wool, from inattention or error in the breeders of ftieep, who 

 confider the fhambles, not the worklhop. 



Sect. 



