STATISTICAL SURVEY 



interefl, in confequence of which they aflembled in a 

 tumultuous manner in the town of Lifburn on a mar- 

 ket day, and would have deftroyed the promoter of 

 this aft, had he not fortunately made his efcape ; and 

 the firft Marquis of Downfhire, then Earl of Hillfbo- 

 rough, who was that day in Lifburn, going out to ap- 

 peafe the mob, had nearly loft his life. For the credit 

 of the linen-weavers of the north of Ireland, this was 

 the firfl and the laft riotous meeting they were ever as 

 a body concerned in ; they were immediately fenfiblc 

 of their error, and returned peaceably to their looms. 

 A manufacture fo extenfive as that of linen in this 

 kingdom, and confequently of fo much importance, 

 muft require continual attention and fuperintendence 

 to keep up its credit, by guarding againft thofe abufes, 

 which creep into every branch, and which, when got 

 to a certain height, prove deftruftive to it-, but al- 

 though this fuperintendence, when well directed, is 

 ufeful, nothing is more dangerous than frequently tan> 

 pering with a flourifhing and well eftabliftied trade ; 

 nor fhould any material change ever be introduced or 

 attempted without confutation with thofe, who have 



practical knowledge in the bufmefs. 



i 

 Improvements in the art of bleaching have kept 



pace with the improvements in the arts of weaving 

 and fpinning , and it is now found, that with an addi- 

 tional quantity of bleaching fluff, and more handling, 

 linen may be got ready for the white market in one- 

 half 



