it was in 1844. Our trade with the colonies appears, on the contrary, to have fallen off about 20 per cent. during the same period. As respects the trade with Great Britain and the coasting trade, that portion which is carried on by sailing vessels is only slightly increased; but the tonnage of the steam vessels which entered inwards and outwards in 1853 was nearly double that entered in 1844, being considerably more than the tonnage of the sailing vessels entered. The tonnage of the vessels registered as being owned in Ireland has also increased nearly 25 per cent. during the ten years.*

The only statistical records that I am aware of, by which we may venture to estimate the internal trade of the country, are the returns of bank notes in circulation. Robert Murray, of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, has favored me with the averages from the beginning of the year 1846, when the act requiring such returns first took effect, up to present time. The circulation in 1846 amounted to £7,265,721, giving proof of the prosperous state of trade before the blight of the potato. Next year it fell off nearly a million and a-half, and it decreased a million more in 1848. The lowest average was reached in 1849, being then only £4,310,283. It remained without much change up to 1852, but has increased rapidly during last year and the ten months of the present year which are past, the average of which has been £6,223,811. The circulation has therefore increased nearly 50 per cent. from the lowest point; but our internal trade is still carried on by means of a note circulation, which is one million less than was required in 1846.

Annual average of the sum total of the returns of the several Banks of Issue in Ireland, as respects their note circulation in the years 1840 to 1853, with the average of the first ten months of 1854.

year

Through the kindness of James McAdam, secretary to the Flax Improvement Society, I have been furnished with some interesting information respecting the linen manufacture, which shows its progress during the past twelve years to have been very great. In the 1841 there were in Ireland 41 flax-spinning mills, containing 260,000 spindles. These were increased by the end of last year to 88 mills, containing 580,684 spindles. The number of workpeople in the flax-spinning mills has been estimated at 23,000, the wages paid annually at £360,000, and the amount of capital sunk in buildings and machinery as exceeding £2,300,000. The newest feature in the Irish linen manufacture is the introduction of power-looms,

* See Appendix G.

which has been hastened by the want of sufficient hand-loom weavers to supply the increasing trade. The exports of flax, yarn, and linen goods exceed £4,500,000. Part of these exports is for consumption in England, but the great mass is shipped to foreign countries, chiefly through Liverpool and Glasgow. The annual manufacture of linens of all kinds in Ireland may be roughly estimated at 160,000,000 of yards. At present this branch of manufacture is very much depressed, owing principally to the great increase of spinning machinery in 1852 and 1853. These years added one-fifth to the amount of machinery previously in use, and of course produced one-fifth more yarns, which, when woven and exported, have glutted foreign markets. Yet we may well believe that the steady increase in the consumption of linen goods abroad will, in two or three years, absorb this increase, and bring the production and consumption once more into equilibrium.

The manufacture of linen is so much the most important of those which Ireland possesses, that it may seem unnecessary to advert to any other; yet I must not omit all reference to the manufacture of sewed muslins, which has been so much increased in Ireland during the last ten years, that we scarcely recognize its previous existence. It has been computed that these elegant fabrics give employment to about 300,000 persons, who receive about £30,000 weekly in wages. I know not that there are any reliable data for such an estimate, and I am inclined to think it must be much beyond the truth. Still the manufacture is unquestionably a very important one, and it is the more to be valued because it is for the most part carried on by women and children at their own homes, and affords remunerative occupation for small portions of time, which, in many cases, would otherwise be wasted.

In estimating the prosperity of any country, the most important object of inquiry is the comfort of the people, which is, perhaps, best indicated by their consumption of those articles which are in general use, but not of absolute necessity. The amount of custom or excise duties paid in Ireland does not afford us any data in this respect, because the great proportion of many articles of consumption comes over from England duty paid. There is, however, one article, the duty of which is almost invariably paid in Ireland, and which, from its nature, is perhaps the very best criterion of the capability of the middle and lower classes to obtain the comforts of life. I refer to tea, of which the quantities cleared in the years 1842 to 1853 inclusive, afford a striking illustration of the condition of the people. We first find a regular increase of consumption of about nine per cent. annually from 1842 to 1846; then the effects of the famine are shewn by a slight retrogression for the five following years, and in 1852 the consumption becomes almost the same as that of 1846. Last year it again increased by nearly one-seventh, having amounted to 7,859,754 lbs., being 2,924,102 lbs. more than had been used in 1842; or, taking the diminution of the population into account, making the consumption for each inhabitant of Ireland nearly double what it had been in the former period.

Statement of the quantity of Tea cleared in Ireland for home consumption
in the years 1842 to 1853 inclusive.

The view which I have now taken of the state of our country is founded principally on the records of the past. I have noticed only those circumstances which are peculiar to Ireland, and have not thought it any part of my province to refer to the possible future effects of the great contest in which this empire is at present engaged. Hitherto its effects on our trade or our internal concerns have been scarcely appreciable. But we cannot conceal from ourselves that the war, if long continued, must have an important influence on the condition of our country, which may, to some extent, modify the conclusions at which I have arrived. It is well, however, to consider our present circumstances, irrespective of any external cause which may hereafter affect them; and it is satisfacfactory to know, that so far as internal affairs are concerned, the resources of the country appear to be progressively improving.

In this review of the state of Ireland, as exhibited in the statistical returns referred to, we find the population greatly diminished since 1841; but those that remain appear to be in decidedly better circumstances. We find the number of small holdings very much less, while farms of thirty acres and upwards have been more than trebled in number, thus affording better scope for the pursuit of agriculture as a science, and increasing the number of farms which are suited to the rearing and fattening of cattle. The value of farm stock appears to have increased fifty per cent., which, taken in connection with the diminished population, makes the average value of stock for each inhabitant of the country nearly double what it was in 1841. The extent of arable land itself has been largely increased, thus adding considerably to our fixed capital. The savings of our poorer classes were sadly diminished in 1847 and 1848; hut even this fund appears to be now gradually on the increase. The enormous amount of destitution arising from the famine has been fairly met. The number of paupers in the workhouses is greatly reduced, and this reduction seems likely to progress still farther. We may consider the danger in this respect as over, and the expenses which we are now called on to bear can hardly be deemed excessive. The Incumbered Estates Court has freed a large portion of the landed property of the country from the complicated difficulties arising from embarrassed proprietors, Chancery management, and a pauper tenantry. Many of the purchasers have spent and are spending large sums of money in the improvement of their estates.

Crime, which had been greatly increased by the effects of the famine, has been considerably reduced in amount, and appears now to be progressively diminishing. The returns of shipping shew that commerce has increased. We have sufficient evidence to prove the growth of our internal trade and of our manufacturing industry. The greatly increased consumption of tea amply demonstrates that the comforts and luxuries of the middle and lower classes have kept pace with our progress in other respects.

But what is yet more indicative of improvement, the political agitation which once engrossed our thoughts, is now so much diminished that it is almost forgotten. We no longer seek regeneration in great political changes; and in proportion as we have lost faith in the nostrums of politicians, we have learned to rely on ourselves. We have acquired more independence, more selfreliance. The greater facilities for employing it, have brought forward Irish capital, and dispelled for ever the illusion that English money was essential to the progress of our country. We now feel that the improvement of Ireland must depend on the energy, the skill, and the industry of her own sons. It is neither assistance nor protection that we require from the legislature, but the removal of any impediments to our exertions which may still remain from antiquated or defective laws. We want a fair field and no favor," and we confide the future well-being of our country to the blessing of Providence upon our honest and persevering industry.

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