PART IV 



A short sketch of the early history of the spinning of Flax and weaving of it 

 into linen cloth ; its condition in the reign of Henry VIII., and subsequently 

 in the reign of William III., when Ireland was left in possession of the linen 

 trade, with £20,000 annually voted by parliament for a century, to stimulate 

 and extend it, — and a short account of the progress of the Flax-yarn spinning, 

 and the linen manufactures of Ireland down to 1828, when the first E lax- 

 spinning factories were built by^, those spirited and enterprising firms, the 

 Messrs. Mullhollands, Messrs. Herdman and Co., Messrs. Hind and Co., 

 Messrs. Boyd and Co., of Belfast, who were then all connected, and stood, as 

 they do now, at the head of the Flax-spinning trade in Ireland — An 

 Antiquarian's account of the textile fabrics of the ancients — Flax, Cotton, 

 and New Zealand Flax climates, &c. — Comments (by the Author) on the 

 Leeds Flax -spinners — Sketch of the history of Flax-spinning in Leeds read 

 before the " British Association," in which the decrease of the growth of Flax 

 in Ireland was unnoticed, to the injury of the manufacturing and agricultural 

 trade of the country — A falling off of from 35,600 tons grown in 1854, to only 

 14,475 tons in 1856; thus creating a national loss — A short history of Dundee, 

 and the importance of the Flax-trade in that town explained — The profits of 

 the linen and Flax-trade of Ulster held up as an example to Connaught, and 

 the vile agitators who, by setting class against class, have prevented Connaught 

 becoming like Ulster, prosperous and happy, held up to contempt by the real 

 friends of Ireland — A short sketch of the hist ory of Flax from the reign of 

 King William HI., by a linen bleacher, with additions by the Author, quoting 

 Buffon on inventions, from which pleasure, like comfort in affliction, may be 

 derived, all of which the Author proves, by quotations from the most learned 

 authorities, and particularly from his own very dear-bought experience, to a 

 brief sketch of which he invites attention, as it will be found profitable to all 

 inventors or patentees ; inasmuch as the astounding facts set forth may warn 

 them to steer clear of those "Kocks ahead!" on which the Author's unfor- 

 tunate " Patent Bark " has been more than once nearly shattered to pieces. 



Sacked History tells us that, in the earliest periods of 

 the world, Egypt was distinguished for science, manufactures, 

 and civilization. We are told that Moses was learned in all 

 the wisdom of the Egyptians. There was the school in 



