272 



uiiprodu6livc, and mud abfolutely run to wafle, if they were not thus 

 employed. Add to this, that the paper manufafture is capable of 

 more improvement, in texture, beauty, and value, by the exertion of 

 fkill and induftry, than almofl: any other. There are papers not worth 

 more than five or fix fhillings the ream ; and there may be drawing 

 paper worth twenty guineas the ream. The paper of fome of the 

 mod ancient editions of the claffics, thofe of Aldus in particular, — the 

 paper of Bajkewilk and fome others in England, that, employed in 

 the publications of Bodoni at Parma, and of Didot at Paris, fliow, to 

 what an high degree of perfeftion the fabrication of paper may be 

 carried ; and the encreafe of price is proportionable to the improve- 

 ment of quality ; fo that there is no manufafture, that is fufceptible 

 of greater exertions, on the part of the workman, or that rewards 

 them, with more liberality. The paper manufaftory alfo produces ma- 

 ny articles of neceffary ufe, either to the fabrication of other com- 

 modities, or the fale of them ; as wrapping, blotting, and marble pa- 

 per, cards, and parte board. 



The principal expence of a paper manufafture, confifts in rent, for 

 it occupies a large fpace of ground, the firft: coft of buildings, and 

 apparatus, repairs, and workmen's wages ; — the materials in addition, 

 to linen rags, are (hreds of parchment, or vellum, for the purpofe of 

 making fize, vitriol, and roche allum. To thefe we add oxygen, which 

 is now employed, in whitening the macerated mafs of linen, and 

 fmalts, or fome other blue colour, which is generally ufed in the com- 

 pofition of writing papers ; although this ingredient might better be 

 omitted, in the fabrication of all forts of paper. 



This is a manufafture, to which the natural advantages of Ireland 

 feem particularly to lead her; the number of pure ftreams, and of 

 the finefl water, which every where abounds, in this country, are 

 particularly favourable to the ereftion of paper works. The manu- 

 fafture has already made fome proficiency araongfl us ; and the ma- 

 nufacturers have acquired competent ikill. The manufacture at pre- 

 fent, is certainly very inadequate to the confumption of the country ; 



yet 



