50 Old Belfast : lis Origin and Progress. 



open political organisation into underground channels, the final 

 result of which was the abortive rebellion of 1798, which owing 

 to the precautions taken by the Government, Belfast passed 

 through without bloodshed. 



This brings to a close one of the saddest periods in Belfast 

 history, and through the political exertions of Lord Castlereagh 

 the 1st of January 1801 was to see the Union Jack floating over 

 the old market house as the symbol of a new era, which was 

 destined to be unexampled for progress and prosperity in the 

 annals of our city. That the stormy period through which the 

 town had passed had not materially retarded its progress was 

 largely owing to the employment afforded by the linen industry^ 

 hand loom weaving being practised in almost every household) 

 while the spinning wheel, which is now but a curiosity, was 

 then an article of furniture. With the application of steam- 

 power machinery to the production of linen the trade was 

 revolutionised, transferring the making of linens from the home 

 of the weaver to the factory, as the industry is carried on to-day, 

 leaving as a landmark of the past the old Brown Linen Hall, 

 with its pavements and standings grass-grown and deserted, and 

 .the White Linen Hall, shortly to be taken down. Another 

 industry which took root early in the century in Belfast was 

 shipbuilding, a notable example being the launch of the Aurora, 

 the first steamship built and engined in Belfast, which event 

 took place in the year 1830. She was intended for the trade 

 between Belfast and the Clyde, and was the pioneer of our 

 efficient cross-channel fleet of to-day, and of the shipbuilding 

 industry which was to develop in our days, until shipbuilding 

 in Belfast has reached the highest point of naval architecture. 

 Belfast was thus achieving peaceful commercial triumphs when 

 O'Connell in furtherance of the repeal movement visited it in 

 1 841. Dr. Cooke seized the opportunity to challenge him to a 

 public discussion of the question, which O'Connell declined on 

 the ground that as Dr. Cooke was the leader of the Presbyterians, 

 to enter into a controversy with him would appear as if he was 

 opposed to the Presbyterians, whereas in reality he was their 

 very good friend. 



