OF THE COUNTY OF DOWN. 237 



ducYion of a muflin loom into a family muft be an 

 object of confiderable importance : indeed the change 

 of drcfs and deportment in this clafs of perfons was 

 very obvious to every one, and a fmart young cotton 

 weaver became no flight attraction in the eyes of a 

 country belle. Notwithftanding the fums of money, 

 that have been retained in this kingdom by manufac- 

 turing our own cottons, many perfons think, that ulti- 

 mately it may be attended with a lofs to our linen trade; 

 for, if any complete overthrow was to take place in, the 

 former, a number of weavers would be let loofe upon 

 the latter, who, from the light work they have been 

 habituated to, would prove injurious, by introducing 

 the fame kind of texture in the fabrication of linen; 

 but this, I fliould think, is a groundlefs apprehen- 

 fion; the drapers would not buy fuch goods, and 

 the weavers would be obliged to accommodate them- 

 felves to the markets. 



The quick return in the muflin trade. (when it is 

 profperous), from the fliort time it requires in bleach- 

 ing, makes it peculiarly fit for fmall capitals; but whe- 

 ther it will be able to keep its ground on the expiration 

 of the protecting duties, is one of thofe questions which 

 time alone can anfwer; many perfons are of opinion 

 that it will, and that it may admit of confiderable dimi- 

 nution in profit, and ftill remain a good trade. 



The woollen manufacture would fcarcely deferve men- 

 tion, being confined to a coarfe cloth, made entirely for 



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