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felves; from our lethargy, to promote a vigorous ptirfuit of this moft 

 important branch of manufafture. There are many parts of Ire- 

 land, as I have obferved, peculiarly adapted, for the production 

 of hemp ; and, were the manufactures of fail-cloth and cordage, pro- 

 perly encouraged in Ireland; vail fums of money would be re- 

 tained in the Britijh empire, which are now fent out of it, to Rujfia 

 and the other northern countries ; and estenfive trafts of ground, 

 which are, at prefent wholly unprofitable, and a difgrace and defor- 

 mity to the country, would then become fome of the moft valuable 

 and productive parts of the foil. 



Sir William Temple obferves, that there is hardly any country, ly- 

 ing on the fra-coaft, which has fo little fhipping as Ireland, or is ca- 

 pable of employing more. This he imputes, partly to the want of 

 merchants. He propofes to improve the trade of Ireland, by mak- 

 ing two free ports, one, in fome part of the county of Kerry, and 

 one, on the north- weft coaft of Inland ; which might ferve as maga- 

 zines, for the Wejl India trade. 



How far fuch a meafure might be advifeable it is not my defign, 

 to enquire in this place. But, I proceed to remark a want of po- 

 licy, and forefight in England, which has hitherto neglefted to form 

 any maritime cftabliftiments, or naval arfenals, on any part of the 

 fliore, of this kingdom, nor has fhe- encouraged the building of ftiips 

 of war, in any of the ports of Ireland, notwithftanding the fituation 

 is fo favourable, for receiving fuppiies of naval ftores, from the northern 

 countries ; and fo convenient for refitting fliips, arriving from the Atlantic 

 ocean ; and the equipment of fquadrons, for that deftination. It may 

 be faid, in anfwer, that Ireland labours under a natural difadvantage, 

 which renders all her harbours unfit for the purpofe of docking large 

 fliips ; namely, the want of a fufficient rife and fall of the tide, on the 

 coaft of Ireland. On the ftiores of this country, it is faid, the tide 

 does not rife and fall, more than twelve feet ; whereas, on many of the 

 Englip harbours, it rifes and falls, no lefs, than twenty-two, or twenty- 

 four 



