403 



in the mafter manufafturers. The chief obftacles, to the progrefs of 

 this important branch of induftry, feem to be, deficiency of capital, 

 in the firft inftance, fo that the mafter manufafturers are not able to 

 extend their works, as they ought, or make experiments, and improve- 

 ments : In the next place, the mifconduft of the workmen muft be 

 noticed. I am forry to fay it, there is an unhappy fpirit of infub- 

 ordination among thefe poor people, which is equally injurious to their 

 own private interefts, and to the good of the community. 



I cannot forbear obferving, as a matter connefted with this part of 

 my fubjeft, a circumftance peculiarly difgraceful to this country, and 

 that fliews an uncommon fupinenefs and want, of liberal and enlight- 

 ened views, and philofophic fpirit, in the majority of thofe, who com- 

 pofe the legiflature ; as well as a total difregard of literature, in perfons 

 of all conditions ; I mean, the negleft of providing any fecurity what- 

 foever, for literary property in Ireland. This fecurity was given, by 

 ftatute in England, fo long ago as the reign of Queen Anne\ and 

 the utility of this meafure has been felt, and acknowledged for near 

 a century. Why has not a fmiilar regulation been adopted, in this 

 country ? Has it never been fuggefled, or occurred, to the thoughts of 

 any one in either houfe of Parliament ? — To the knowledge of the 

 writer of thefe pages, applications on this fubjeft have been made, in 

 quarters, from whence fuch a meafure would have proceeded, without 

 danger of oppofition ; but, in vain. — Hummings of higher nature vexed 

 their brain. 



Is it, that Ireland is incapable, of feeling a regard for literature ? 

 Is it, that having long been confidered, as the Baotia of the modern 

 world, {he means to juftify the appellation, to claim ignorance as her 

 charter ; and tacitly to acknowledge, that a fecurity for literary prof- 

 perity in Ireland, would be an idle and nugatory regulation, inafmuch, 

 as Ireland is incapable of producing any original work of merit, en- 

 titling its author to praife or profit. — Can any good come out of Galilee ? 



( 3 E 2 ) Can 



