50 



are collected together into great man u factories, we well 

 know their morals are corrupted, and their character 

 debased ; of this we have too many proofs. Indeed, it is a 

 necessary consequence of their new situation ; for, removed 

 from domestic society, and the mild influence of parental 

 authority, they naturally take the turn of that company 

 they fall into, and the worst description generally takes 

 the lead. 



The proportion of our manufacturing, to our agricultural 

 and commercial population, is by far too great; and it 

 might be desirable, if practicable, to reduce it : but, exclu- 

 sive of the difliculty, I fear the state to which we are re- 

 duced, after a tremendous contest of unparalleled duration 

 and enormous expense, would not bear an alteration that 

 might diminish our resources. When, therefore, I spe- 

 culate on increasing or manufacturing population, I have 

 no thoughts of separating it from the agricultural ; no 

 thought of carrying off the children from their father's 

 house, or depriving them of parental care and instruction : 

 they shall continue to dwell together in patriarchal inno- 

 cence. Manufactures can be found, in which the children 

 have employment at their own jfire-side ; and while the 

 father bears his part, or rests from the labours of his 

 diminutive farm, as of old, — 



" Arguto conjux perciirrit pectine telas." 



In cottage industry, as well as in great manufactories, 

 employment is found for very young children : the sisters, 

 as they advance, take to their wheels ; the brothers to the 

 loom ; and sometimes we see a loom in a corner occupied 

 by a journeyman. Such is the picture of most small farm- 

 houses in the North of Ireland : but domestic industry is 



