ai't THE MODERN HISTORY OF SILK. 



In this opinion, we think we are borne out by the 

 fate which has attended tlie manufactories of cotton 

 lace. The low price of labour induced a belief that 

 these might be successfully cultivated ; but a com- 

 bination of circumstances has blighted the hopes of 

 the public-spirited individuals who introduced them. 

 We hope that still their may be found patriots to 

 persevere, and gain an ascendency over prejudice. 

 The cultivation of the Silkworm and the growing 

 of flax, if pursued with vigour, might yet render 

 Ireland prosperous and happy. 



Very lately, a remarkable phenomenon presented 

 itself in Ireland, which goes far to support our 

 opinions. A voluntary colony of SilkwoiTns settled 

 on the demesne of Mount Loftus, county of Cork, 

 the seat of Sir Nicholas Loftus, Baronet. On this 

 demesne, there are no mulberry -trees ; but there are 

 several of the European spindle-tree, or Euonymus 

 Europeus ; and of these the insect colonists took 

 possession. One tree was literally weighed down 

 with them ; and it was supposed there could not be 

 less than half a million of worms actively spinning 

 their cones upon it. This remarkable circumstance 

 is well worthy the attention of naturalists, as it 

 proves, that the Silkworm may exist and thrive 

 upon another tree than the mulberry. Those at 

 Mount Loftus are said to have been in vigorous 

 health, and to have produced excellent silk. 



