HIS MACHINES IN IRISH WORKHOUSES. 189 



The following article appeared in the Armagh Guardian 

 after an examination, on the part of the proprietor and 

 editor of that journal, of Dickson's specimens of fibres, and 

 as Armagh is the principal Flax market in Ireland, it follows 

 that the editor of the city journal must know the importance 

 of the subject : 



" IMPORTANT INVENTION. On Thursday (July 1855) 

 we had the pleasure of inspecting, at the Beresford Arms 

 Hotel, several samples of Flax prepared by Mr. Dickson's 

 patent machines and patent liquid. Among those shown to 

 us were samples of English, Egyptian, Friezland, Archangel, 

 New Zealand, &c., and in every case the result of the 

 operation was most gratifying. The quantity obtained from 

 the raw material is not only greater than has ever been pro- 

 duced by any other process, but the quality is decidedly 

 superior, and in marketable value is greatly enhanced. The 

 specimens of the East Indian fibres exhibited in their raw 

 and manufactured state are most extraordinary, and fully 

 prove the superiority of Dickson's process. From the Nalgery 

 Nettle, an ugly looking object in its natural state, we saw 

 material obtained equal to the finest wool. In fact, the 

 majority of the articles, no matter what their original cha- 

 racter, had the same silky feel, and appeared equally as well 

 adapted for manufacturing into the finest cloth. Mr. 

 Dickson's" process is simple, and promises to effect a mighty 

 change for the better among both the agricultural and manu- 

 facturing classes. He intends returning to Armagh at the 

 cattle show, and will give a public lecture on the subject. It 

 is gratifying to us to record his success after so many years of 

 labour and study." 



Lord Lovaine, M.P., Colonel Alcock, Mr. J. P. Oaks, 

 M.P., and several Flax merchants from London, having seen 

 my first machine at work, his lordship requested me to pre- 

 pare a small bale of green Flax-straw, grown in Northum- 



