The harbour of Cork is the principal naval station, where there is always an admiral, having generally under his command a small squadron; but independent of the government of Ireland, the lord-lieutenant has not the power of ordering even a brig round to Dublin. The admiral has his instructions from the admiralty only; so that were the country in the most imminent danger, it would be necessary for the Irish government first to dispatch a messenger, to the admiralty in England, to request that board to transmit orders to Cork.

The board of ordnance in England have a branch in Ireland, this is governed by their directions; but in no department has there been a more shameless and profuse waste of the public money. I have frequently mentioned this evil to men of influence in Ireland; but the reply has always been: England pays fifteen seventeenths of the expense, and it sets the Irish to work." This observation shews that something more than a legislative union is wanted.

66

There are extensive artillery barracks near Dublin, and others have been erected at Clonmel, Loughrea, and in Galway. The common car, used throughout the country, makes an excellent artillery carriage.

I think it of some importance to remark, that the approach of cavalry may be heard at the distance of two or three miles, by applying the ear to a hole, formed in the road, about the size of a wash hand-bason. This method, it is said, was practised by the insurgents during the late rebellion.

The foregoing observations were written before the introduction of Mr. Ryder's bill for the exchange of the militias, a measure which, as I have already stated, I most highly approve. Next to the Union, I consider it the most important and beneficial measure that could have been adopted.

Considering the subject of this chapter as intimately connected with the safety of the British empire, I transmitted it to a friend who has long resided in Ireland, and who is no less distinguished for attachment to that country, than for a heart-felt wish for the happiness of its people. No one has a deeper knowledge of the genius of the Irish; and I was anxious to have the opinions of such a judge, on some points, which naturally came under my discussion, and which deserve more attention than has hitherto been bestowed upon them. The remark of this friend was gratifying in the extreme, although laconically expressed in the following words: "read and revered." This flattering testimony I should, perhaps, not have made public, were it not that the approbation of one, who is as celebrated for talents, as any other individual in the British dominions, I must consider a great sanction to my conclusions and opinions.

An Account of the Civil and Military Expenses of the Ordnance, in that Part of the United Kingdom called Ireland, for the year 1811: Viz.*

IRISH MILITIA.

NUMBER of MEN who have volunteered to the LINE, during the undermentioned Periods ;furnished by the Right Hon. W. Wellesley Pole.

834

RETURN of the Number of RECRUITS raised from the commencement of the Recruiting Establishment, viz. 25th August 1802, to 25th June 1811; distinguishing the Number raised in each Year :-furnished by the Right Hon. W. Wellesley Pole.

* Unless I had been furnished with an account of deserters, the result of this table is delusive; but i suppose that Mr. Pole thought that the publication of such a document would be improper, or it would have been forwarded to me, along with the foregoing.

CHAPTER XXXI.

IT

CONCLUDING REMARKS.

appears from the foregoing accounts of Ireland, that the island contains 20,437,974 English acres,* yielding a rent of £17,228,540. Irish money, which produces on an average 20 Winchester bushels of wheat to the English acre, 33 of barley, 44 of oats, and 22,094lbs. ‡ avoirdupoise of potatoes to the Irish acre. That in the year 1791, there were 4,200,000 people, paying a revenue of

But that the interest and charges on the national debt being

£4,414,1149 3,807,721||

towards the expenditure of the country, which appears to be £6,327,055.,¶ upon an average of the three years 1809-10 and 11, independent of the charges on the debt.

That the official value of the imports of Ireland are
Exports

£7,055,167** 5,923,420**

It was once my intention to have reviewed what I have printed upon the state of society in Ireland, and to have drawn the reader's attention to the results that naturally arose out of the facts, which I have collected; but when I look back at the two hundred sheets which I have already covered with letter press, when I call to mind, that as much more is buried in my escritoir, and that, perhaps, I have not selected the most useful information which I acquired, I have determined to close as speedily as possible this long and laborious task.

In the work which I have now brought to a conclusion, I have endeavoured to exhibit a faithful picture of the natural, moral, and political state of a people, who are intimately connected with Great Britain. My exertions have been directed to exhibit the peculiarities by which they may be distinguished from the other subjects

* Vol. i. p. 4. Upon an average of the three years, 1809, Ibid. p. 277. ¶ Ibid.

+ Vol. i. p. 305.
1810, and 1811, vide vol. ii. p. 276.
** Ibid. vol. ii. p. 275.

Vol. i. p. 605.

+ Vol. ii. p. 194.