226 STATISTICAL SURVEY 



The imports confifl of all the commodities neceflary 

 to an opulent and manufacturing county, and are daily 

 increafing. The conftant refidence of the numerous 

 landed proprietors, and the demands of a large body of 

 wealthy perfons in trade, caufe a regular import of the 

 luxuries and elegancies of life; add to thefe the con- 

 ftant fupplies of the more neceflary articles required by 

 the manufacturers, and the great body of the people, 

 and we fliall not be fuprifed at the rapid progrefs made 

 by Newry in one part of the county, and by Belfafl on 

 the other, which, though not in the precinfts, may be 

 confidered, in a commercial view, as forming part of its 

 fyltem. Portaferry likewife has a considerable trade; 

 but the fliutting up of all the ports on this part of the 

 coaft, except Belfafl and Newry, from importing cer- 

 tain articles of commerce, has curtailed the trade of the 

 fmaller ports very much. 



SECT. 6. ManufaEiures. 



THE linen manufacture, from its extent and confe- 

 quent importance, deferves the firfl place. What was 

 the exaft time of its eftablifhment in this county I fliall 

 not take upon me to determine, but that it has con- 

 fide r able claims to antiquity cannot be difputed, as 

 from an aft againfl foreftalling, in the 33d of Henry 

 VIII. linen and yarn are particularly enumerated as 



objects 



