\ 
662° 
comparatively abortive; and of the effects 
resulting from these circumstances,” — 
Lastly, an Appendix, containing tables of 
the exports and imports of corn from of 
into Ireland, since the commencement 
of the last century; of the quantities of 
beef, butter, pork, and live cattle, ex- 
ported from Ireland in the same period ; 
and various other tables, accounis, and 
official returns, of the highest value to 
every one who wishes to form a correct 
judgment of the present condition of 
freland, and of its capacity for improve= 
ment. Our Author’s view of the subject 
is so well expressed in his introduction, 
that we cannot deny ourselves the satis- 
faction of laying it before our readers. 
“¢ During the time of my service in Ire- 
land (says Sir John Davis) which began 
in the first year of his Majesty’s (King 
James I.) reign, I have. visited all the 
provinces of that kingdom in sundry jour- 
neys and circuits, Wherein I have ob- 
served the good temperature of the air ; 
the fruitfulness of the soil; the pleasant 
and commodious seats for habitations; 
the safe and large ports and havens lying 
open for traffic into all the west parts of 
the world; the long inlets of many na- 
vigable rivers; and so many great lakes 
and fresh ponds within the land, as the 
like are not to he seen in amy part of 
Europe; therich fishings and wild fowl 
of all kinds; and lastly, the bodies and 
minds of the people endued with extra- 
ordinary abilities by nature.* 
“© Had it not been (says Sir William 
Temple) for circumstances prejudicial 
to the increase of trade and riches in a 
country, and which seem natural, or at 
least to have been ever incident, to the 
government of Ireland, the native ferti- 
lity of the Irish soil and seas in so 
many rich commodities, improved by a 
multitude of people and industry, with 
the advantage of so many excellent ha- 
vens, and a situation so commodious for 
all foreign trade, must needs have ren- 
dered this kingdom one of the richest in 
Europe, and made a mighty increase, 
both of strength and revenue to the 
_crown of Emgland.”} — 
“ Treland (says the intelligent Mr. 
Brown), is, in respect of its situation, 
the number of its commodious harbours, 
and the natural wealth which it pro- 
duces, the fittest island to acquire riches 
of any in the European seas; for, as by 
its situation, it lies most commodious for 
* Historical Relations, p. 1. 
‘++ Miscellancous Works, vol. iil, p. 3 
Retrospect of Dontestic Literature Politics, &c. 
the West Indies, Spain, and the north- 
ern ahd east countries, so it is not only 
supplied by nature with all the necessaries 
of life, but can, over and above, export 
large quantities to foreign couritries, in- 
somuch, that had it’ been mistréss of a 
free trade, no nation in Europe of its - 
extent, could, in an equal number of 
years, acquire greater wealth.”* 
“ To illustrate the ground of these 
remarks, and to draw forth, from compa- 
rative obseurity. and oblivion, such of. 
the natural and political circumstances of 
Treland, as appear to merit particular at- 
tention, are the principal objects of the 
present work. 
‘“* With this view it is proposed, first, to 
exhibit those natural advantages by which 
Treland seems, in an eminent manner, 
qualified for the attainment of great com- 
mercial opulence and national strength. 
Secondly, to disclose the various causes 
avhich operated in rendering those ad- 
vantages almost abortive. And thirdly, 
to review the circumstances which have 
tended to prevent a complete and uni- 
form fruition of them, since the removal - 
of the principal causes by which they 
were frustrated. ee 
‘<The more efficient natural advantages 
which qualify a country for the attainment 
of riches, by means of external and inter- 
nal traffic, are a favourable situation, rela- 
tively to other countries ; numerous and 
commodious harbours; extensive naviga- 
ble rivers; a convenient supply of mate- 
rials for making durable roads; a tem-. 
perate climate; an abundance of such 
minerals and fossils as are capable of be- 
ing greatly enhanced in value by the la- 
bour and ingenuity of man; productive 
fisheries; and a fertile soil, with the 
means of increasing and preserving its 
fertility. 
Under a well-constituted and perma- 
nent government, competent to afford 
due protection to its subjects, an indus- 
trious people, enjoying personal liberty, 
security of property, internal peace, and 
experiencing suitable encouragements on 
the part of a prudent and serious legis- 
lature, can scarcely fai] to acquire com- 
mercial wealth and national strength, in 
proportion to the number of these natural 
advantages, and the extent and value of 
each. 
“ With respect to a few of them, in- 
dividually taken, and considered in their — 
* Essays on Trade in general, and on that 
of Ireland ia particular, page 38; published 
ia 1728, sls 
utmost 
