325 



examines the quality of the pieces, it meafures then- quantity. None are 

 permitted to pafs into the market, which are not duly fealed, as a badge of 

 their integrity. We fee, in confequence of thefe regulations, what a high 

 charafter the linens of Ireland fupport in the foreign market ; with what 

 confidence the buyer is infpired j and, confidence, in dealing, is the very 

 foul of traffic. 



In addition to the rewards, which the manufafturer derives, from a com- 

 pliance with thefe regulations, in the high charafter, and rapid fale of this 

 produftion : the legiflature remunerates his obedient conformity, with many 

 valuable privileges. He can import, free from duty, the prima of his ma- 

 nufafture, and the materials, which are requifite in the different operations 

 of bringing it to perfection ; and he is paid confiderable bounties on the 

 exportation of his fabricks, to foreign markets. Certain it is, that thefe 

 wife provifions, of the legiflature, have been attended by the mod beneficial 

 confequenccs ; and, that we may afcribe to them, in a great meafure, the 

 prefent flourifliing ftate of the linen manufaflure, in this country. 



Sir William Temple mentions, among the caufes of the profperity 

 of the Dutch manufaftures, the order, and exaftnefs, in managing 

 their trade, which brings their commodities into credit abroad. This 

 was firfl: introduced, by fevere laws and penalties, but is, fince, grown into 

 cuftora. I have obferved, (fays he) above thirty feveral placarts, refpefting 

 the manner of curing, pickling, and barrelling herrings. The fmall arms 

 made at Utrecht, are forfeited, if fold without a mark, or marked without 

 trial. In the hidia Houfe, pieces of fcarlet cloth, which are fent, in great 

 quantity, to thofe parts (meaning the Eaft Indies) are marked, with the 

 Engliih arms, and an infcription in Englilh. 



There is a circumftance obferved, by Sir William Tentple, that contri- 

 butes to facilitate the work of regulation, and to methodize, and fimplify, 

 trade, and manufaftures, among the Dutch ; and which, certainly, ena- 

 bles the legiflature and government, with more facility, to take a bird's- 

 eye view of the trade, the refources, and induftry of the country ; which 



