xix Pyrometer or Thermometer 255 



political movements, now came forward as a pamph- 

 leteer. He endeavoured to show that the true way of 

 encouraging manufacturers in Ireland was, not by 

 bounties, nor by prohibitions, but by an entire freedom 

 of industry between the two countries. He held that 

 the best mode of giving the Irish manufacturers vigour 

 was by having recourse to British manufacturers, 

 possessed of capital, industry, and knowledge of trade. 

 " It is contemptible nonsense," he said, " to argue that 

 because Ireland has never had manufactories, she can- 

 not have them now. One hundred years ago the Irish 

 had no linen manufactories ; they imported linen, and 

 now they sell us to the extent of a million annually ! 

 How came this about ? The tyranny of the Scotch 

 Privy Council under Charles II. chased the people 

 out of Scotland because they were Presbyterians. Ire- 

 land received and protected them; they peopled the 

 northern provinces ; many of them were weavers ; they 

 followed their business in Ireland, and taught others. 

 Philip II. chased the inhabitants out of Flanders on 

 account of religion. Queen Elizabeth received and 

 protected them." Then came the large importation of 

 the Huguenots through the persecution of Louis XIV. ; 

 and large manufactories were established, both in 

 England and Ireland. 



Towards the end of his statement Watt asks : 

 " Would it not be more manly and proper at once to 

 invite the Irish to come into a perfect Union with 

 Britain, and to pay the same duties and excise that 



