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"158 Spinners, twelve months, fifty-two weeks, at about 34d. per week

Eighteen weavers, twelve months, at £12

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Forty needle-women, fifty-two weeks, at 4s. per week,

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Profit on produce of two acres

The calculations of Mr. Andrews, of which space only permits us to give the result, have received a great deal of attention. They are published in the transactions of the Royal Flax Society, and have been quoted by Sir Robert Kane, "Industrial Resurces," p. 334, second edition, and by Mr. Montgomery Martin, "Ireland," &c., third edition, p. 93, and appear to have received their full approval. It will be easy to estimate from these figures the value of the crops produced at home; and also the large amount of employment afforded to the people by the growth of flax, and its subsequent manipulation through the various stages of manufacture.

The next subject that claims our attention is the manufacture of sugar from beet-root. This is altogether a new source of industry, and we are obliged, therefore, to estimate the success of the movement from the advantages the undertaking appears to possess, without fortifying our opinions by an appeal to the experience of the past. A society entitled The Irish Beet-sugar Company" has already obtained a charter of incorporation; and the confidence already reposed in it by the public is evident from the fact, that previous to the allotment of shares, the number of applications was about three times the number at the disposal of the company. It is stated, that sugar has been manufactured upon the Continent for a number of years, at an expense of about £7 10s. per ton; and that large quantities have been imported into this country as foreign sugar (from the finer description of which it can scarcely be distinguished), paying, of course, the duty levied upon foreign

£322 13 4

sugars. It is calculated that, with the great facilities the British Isles possess in the construction of machinery, and in the manufacture of everything connected with it, we shall be enabled to manufacture sugar at a much cheaper rate. Under the inferior management adopted upon the Continent, one ton of sugar is extracted from fifteen tons of the root; but the Irish beet is much richer in saccharine matter than the continental. In the growth of roots of all kinds, it is notorious that Ireland stands pre-eminent. At the last exhibition at the Royal Dublin Society, the specimens of mangold wurzel averaged twelve pounds to eighteen pounds, with a produce of from fifty to seventy tons to the acre, whilst upon the Continent the produce rarely reaches twenty tons; for the very disadvantages under which we labour as a grain-producing country-the dampness of the climate-give us a great superiority in the growth of all sorts of green crops. Arrangements are in progress by the Society for erecting factories at Donamore, adjoining the Roscrea station of the Great Southern and Western Railway, and at Mountmellick, and, we believe, in several other localities, so as to be in a condition to commence operations at the end of October; and in the course of next year, should the experimental operations of the company prove successful, we may expect to see similar nucleuses of industry scattered in various localities.*

As the last great movement connected with the progress of Irish industry, we may mention the manufacture of Peat into various substances, viz:-1. Peat coal, produced by the

See this subject discussed in a pamphlet entitled "The Manufacture of Beetroot Sugar in Ireland," by William R. Sullivan, Chemist to the Museum of Irish Industry. Dublin: James M Glashan, 1851.

solidification of peat, from which a substance is formed equal in density to coal, and superior to it in the absence of unpleasant gases which prove so injurious to metal, and also in the fact that it burns without leaving any residuum or "clinker." 2. Peat charcoal, of a full and compact structure, dense, yet fully carbonised through its entire mass, and free from sulphur and of great heating power. This is produced at the rate of £1 5s. per ton, and is readily purchased in London at £2 5s. per ton, or £3, in sacks.

3. Acetate of lime. 4. Sulphate of ammonia, the two last articles much used in the printing and dying of calico, and cotton. And 5. Peat-tar. Several companies have been formed for the purpose of carrying out these improvements under various patents. The Irish Amelioration Society have recently taken 500 acres of bog near Athy; and works are also in progress at Ballymullen, and in various other places.

These three great branches of Irish industry-flax, beet sugar, and peat charcoal-will not fail to confer very great benefits upon us, enhancing the value of land, and distributing large sums, in the shape of wages, among the labouring classes, including numbers of women and children.

To the person who really wishes to form a fair opinion upon the onward progress or retrogression of Irish manufacture, these facts will be sufficient. They will show him that, independent of the direct profits offered by the soil, its value will probably continue to augment with the improving prospects of our manufactures. With the weak

minded alarmist, or with the wilful depreciator of the luxuriant fertility and immeasurable resources of his native land, we have no desire to hold communion. We may add, that tile draining, and the application of chemistry to agriculture, both of which have made great progress during the last few years, are comparatively novel sciences in Ireland. We must also remind our readers of the extensive works of drainage that have been undertaken, some under particular acts of Parliament, and others by private individuals, of new quays, embankments, and canals, and of ten millions or more expended upon railways. The registered tonnage of Irish vessels has increased from 128,469, in 1836, to 269,742, in 1848, employing 15,000 instead of 9,000 men; and steam navigation in a still greater ratio, having now 106 vessels, with a tonnage of 39,918.* And, if we turn to the different institutions connected with the intellectual progress of Ireland since 1831, we will find the Industrial Museum, under Sir Robert Kane, silently and gradually accumulating knowledge, and making it available for all useful and practical purposes; and the Geological Society, Zoological Society, Natural History Society, Mechanics' Institution, and Dublin Statistical Society, all of later date than 1831, in a flourishing condition, as well as their elder sisters, the Royal Dublin Society, and the Royal Irish Academy. Nor is the activity confined to Dublin; in Belfast, Limerick, Cork, Londonderry, and Galway, as well as in most of our principal towns, other societies like these have sprung into existence.t

*The entrances and clearances of vessels at the various ports of Ireland have greatly increased of late; but as their increase has arisen from the famine, and from emigration, it does not afford a clear index to the progress of our commerce. We are satisfied, however, that there has been a very large increase in the tonnage of vessels legitimately connected with our mercantile transactions. The totals with respect to the coasting trade show an aggregate tonnage (out and in) of 3,131,659 in 1841; and of 3,905,626 in 1850. The number of vessels registered as belonging to the several ports was 1,969, with a capacity of 183,854 tons at the commencement of the period; and 2,333, with a capacity of 267,682 tons, in 1850. By another return, lately published, it appears that the sums advanced to private individuals for arterial drainage, &c., to be repaid with interest at 3 per cent., in half-yearly instalments, extending over ten years, was 199,870., of which 67,6037. has been expended in the province of Ulster; 67,3461. in Leinster; 46,6427. in Munster, and 18,2791. in Connaught. The largest sum laid out in any one county has been in Tyrone, where a sum of 20,7311. was expended.

Much useful information upon this subject will be found in an address delivered by Captain Larcom, C.E., at the Dublin Statistical Society, in June, 1850, and published in their Transactions.

There is one other point connected with Ireland's prospects, upon which a great prejudice appears to exist-emigration. Men who call themselves patriots allege that we are losing the stalworth and able-bodied people, and that in emigrating to America they leave behind them the old, the helpless, and the feeble; a perpetual tax upon the industrious members of the community. It is scarcely necessary to deny so foul an imputation cast upon our countrymen. A pious regard for parents and children, and even for more distant relatives, is one of the features most strongly marked in the national character, and ever burns in the peasant's heart with a holy flame, which misery and poverty in his own land cannot quench; which wealth and prosperity abroad can never extinguish, nor time nor distance chill. We can confidently assert, from an intimate acquaintance and great experience among the peasantry of Munster and Connaught, that for every guinea taken out of the country by the emigrant, four or five are returned, either to bring out the other members of his family, or to relieve the wants of his aged parents. We have seen upon several occasions £50 sent home by a common labourer; and the testimony of Father Mathew, before a Committee of the House of Commons, is to the same effect. The following return lately made by one single firm will place this beyond doubt:—

"Return of Sight-bills on BROWN, SHIPLEY, AND Co., and the NORTHERN BANK, from the 1st of January, 1847, to the 31st December, 1847.

"694 at 17.; 1477 at 21.; 1058 at 37.; 1170 at 41.; 1108 at 57.; 614 at 67.; 162 at 71.; 260 at 87.; 99 at 91.; 555 at 10.; 57 at 117.; 108 at 127.; 50 at 137.; 40 at 141.; 80 at 157.; 49 at 167.; 26 at 171.; 40 at 187.; 20 at 197.; 332 at 201.; 36 at 217.; 26 at 227.; 22 at 237.; 21 at 241.; 106 at 251.; 23 at 261.; 20 at 271.; 22 at 28.; 10 at 291.; 107 at 307. Number of bills 8,292. Total amount 54,4221. Deducting the bills drawn upon other places, this left a balance in favour of Ireland of 28,7471."

We would put it to any candid man whether he really believes that emigration does impoverish the country; or even if it did, whether it would be just to adopt any measure to discourage it,

and to keep the labourer here in helpless poverty, instead of permitting him to seek his fortune in other lands? We believe that every thinking person will agree with us in saying, that emigration is one of the most gratifying features in the improved condition of the country; and that its effects will be, and in fact already have been, to empty the poorhouses of the useless portion of the community, and to diminish poor-rates considerably.

We have endeavoured in the foregoing pages to take a fair and unbiassed view of our present condition, and our future prospects. Now that the storm has passed, and the angry elements have almost spent their fury, we are able to pause, and contemplate more dispassionately our fortunes; and is there any reason why we should despair? We have endeavoured to combat-would that we could say successfully-some of the absurd prejudices that exist against this country, and to point out some of the unexampled resources we possess; partly with a view to inspire Irishmen with energy for renewed exertions, and partly with a view to excite the curiosity, and awaken the attention of the English emigrant and capitalist. We felt that this was the more necessary, owing to the unfortunate disposition of our countrymen, which induces them in too many cases to magnify and exaggerate immaterial trifles, not in any manner connected with Ireland's progress and welfare, and at the same time to discredit and depreciate the things that really belong unto her peace. A great storm has swept over the face of the land. We have seen names connected with the brightest era of Irish nationality blotted from out the things that be. We have seen nobles and maidens of gentle blood obliged to leave their homes,-gorgeous as the habitation of the mote (that dwelleth in the sunbeam),—and now poor and friendless on a foreign shore; and we have seen in countless multitudes

"Scourged by famine from the smiling land, The mournful peasant lead his humble band."

These changes, in a great measure effected by legislation, and accompanied with so great an amount of human suffering, can only be justified on the plea that they were necessary for the future regeneration of Ireland. Per

haps they were wise and well, but still they were "not the less a pain ;" and how sad indeed will it be if all these evils shall have been endured, and if no commensurate advantage shall be found to follow! It is because we are convinced that our future destinies hinge at the present moment upon the infusion of new capital, enterprise, and vigour into the inane and sickly frame of Irish society, and that we stand in need, not of vaunting patriots, orators, and heroes, but of patient, industrious, calculating utilitarians, that we have striven particularly to point out to the intelligent capitalist the advantages our country offers, with an anxious desire, at the same time, to enlist in our favour every patriotic Irishman for so good a work; the more so as we know that there is no country in the world so disparaged by its own inhabitants as Ireland, particularly by the section of its people in most constant communication with the English-the absentees, who having become apostates to their own fatherland, hate it as only apostates can hate.

We cannot expect that the foregoing observations have been sufficient to animate the weak and desponding, or to deter the parties personally interested in the perpetuation of our misfortunes and misery from future efforts to aggravate, by false alarms, present suffering; nor can we expect that we have been so fortunate as to banish all the anti-Irish prejudices entertained abroad for so long a period ; but we do hope that we have, in some

degree, succeeded, and that many a "Saxon," who might have exiled himself in the Antipodes, far from all he loved and cared for on earth, will now, ere he does so, visit Ireland, and examine and judge for himself. We promise him if he comes-not as a stranger to view the nakedness of the land--not as an inspector of poor relief or famine, to fatten upon our miseries-but as a brother, to link his fate with our coun. try, and to blend his destinies with ours, a generous welcome, and all the blessings of a warm-hearted and grateful people. Here, amidst all the exquisite variety of scenery with which heaven has adorned our isle, and amidst the pure beauties of nature, he will be best able to preserve his health and spirits, and develope all the energies of body and mind.-What are the events of the last few years? Crime has almost ceased, the poor-rate is decreasing, civilisation is spreading, education is advancing, our manufactures are making gigantic strides, our rich mines are unappropriated, and our lands ready to yield their grateful produce; capital only is wanting. Is ours, then, a declining country? is our star on the wane? Certainly not; everything is such as to inspire confidence in those who can discern the signs of the times; and we feel assured that the patience with which we have endured past sufferings will not be without its reward, and that the time is not far off when "The liquid drops of tears that we have shed Shall come again transform'd to orient pearls; Advantaging their loss with interest, And tenfold double gain of happiness."

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE.

No. CCXXIV. AUGUST, 1851. VOL. XXXVIII.

CONTENTS.

FRUITS AND FLOWERS-A SYMPOSIUM IN SUMMER. JULY-A TOXOPHOLITE
PICTURE-SONNETS BY THE SAD WAVE-A STORM AT SEA-TO AN EBBING
RIVER-THE ROSES, A SONG FOR THE PHILOSOPHICAL-THE FEAST OF TABER-
NACLES-THE SALLY FROM SALERNO-SIR RAINULF'S HENCHMAN-AN IDYL OF
MOSCHUS-THE WISH; OR, THE FALL OF THE STAR-THE ORPHAN GIRL

THE BRITISH OFFICER.

THE LINE OF THE LAKES

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CHATTERTON-A STORY OF THE YEAR 1770. CHAPTER II.-THE ATTORNEY'S
APPRENTICE OF BRISTOL. CHAPTER III.-FEMALE FRIENDS, AND A JOURNEY
TO LONDON •

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MAURICE TIERNAY, THE SOLDIER OF FORTUNE. CHAPTER XL." THE
CHATEAU OF ETTENHEIM." CHAPTER XLI.-AN "ORDINARY" ACQUAINTANCE
CHAPTER XLII.-THE "COUNT DE MAUREPAS," ALIAS
WARM WATER VERSUS COLD; OR, A VISIT TO WARMBRUNN IN PRUSSIAN AND
GRÆFENBERG IN AUSTRIAN SILESIA. PART I,

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IRISH RIVERS.-No. VIII. SPENSER'S STREAMS-THE MULLA AND ALLO.

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DUBLIN

JAMES M'GLASHAN, 50 UPPER SACKVILLE-ST. WM. S. ORR AND CO., LONDON AND LIVERPOOL.

SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS,

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