3S8 



an intercourfe with America, and the Weji Indies. Were the linen ma- 

 nufafture properly cultivated, in thefe provinces, where provifions and 

 labour are very cheap, at prefent ; the commodity might be produced 

 on lower terras, and confequently fold, in the market, at a reduced 

 price ; by which means, the demand might be fliil further extended. 

 An emporium or grand depot of linens might be eflablilhed, in the 

 weft, or fouth ; where the fabrics might be flored or colleftcd, for the 

 American mart ; as they are, at prefent, in Dublin for the Britijh. 



Let it not be thought, that fuch fpeculations would engrofs too much 

 of the capital of the country ; the general extenfion and improvement 

 of the linen manufafture, will not preclude the eftablilhment of others, 

 when the capital of the country fhail be fufEcient to embrace them. 

 We are only confidering, at prefent, which is the moll: eligible man- 

 ner, of employing a confined capital. In truth, the profperity of the 

 linen manufafture, far from being an hindrance, to the extenfion of 

 others, is, in fome degree, connefted with many. I have noticed its 

 fubferviency to that of paper ; it is allied to the cotton and woollen 

 manufaftures ; and co-operates with them, in many inftances. Thus, 

 linen-yarn is employed, as the warp of cottons ; and employed in the 

 texture of the coarfer kinds of fuflians, thickfets, and corderoys ; it is 

 combined with woollen yarn, in the compofition of damafcus and cheques. 



There is a quantity of fail-cloth imported into Ireland, and yet it is 

 a known faft, that the canvas of this country wears as well as any 

 other, if not better It feems to be a culpable inattention, indeed, a 

 flrange infatuation, on the part of government, in this country, to ne- 

 gleft the means of employing numbers of the people, and the fources 

 of wealth and ftrength, which this branch of induftry offers to us. 

 It feems to be an unaccountable want of policy, on the part of Eng- 

 land, that file does not endeavour to turn our thoughts, to this im- 

 portant objeft, fuppofing us blind and befotted, and wanting to our- 



felves ; 



