and, Australia, New Zealand, and other
countries. While Ireland produces no wrought iron, though it contains
plenty of iron-stone,--and Belfast has to import all the iron which it
consumes,--yet one engineering firm alone, that of Combe, Barbour, and
Combe, employs 1500 highly-paid mechanics, and ships off its iron
machinery to all parts of the world. The printing establishment of
Marcus Ward and Co. employs over 1000 highly skilled and ingenious
persons, and extends the influence of learning and literature into all
civilised countries. We might add the various manufactures of roofing
felt (of which there are five), of ropes, of stoves, of stable
fittings, of nails, of starch, of machinery; all of which have earned a
world-wide reputation.

We prefer, however, to give an account of the last new industry of
Belfast--that of shipping and shipbuilding. Although, as we have said,
Belfast imports from Scotland and England all its iron and all its
coal,[21] it nevertheless, by the skill and strength of its men, sends
out some of the finest and largest steamships which navigate the
Atlantic and Pacific. It all comes from the power of individuality,
and furnishes a splendid example for Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and
Limerick, each of which is provided by nature with magnificent
harbours, with fewer of those difficulties of access which Belfast has
triumphed over; and each of which might be the centre of some great
industrial enterprise, provided only there were patriotic men willing
to embark their capital, perfect protection for the property invested,
and men willing to work rather than to strike.

It was not until the year 1853 that the Queen's Island--raked out of
the mud of the slob-land--was first used for shipbuilding purposes.
Robert Hickson and Co. then commenced operations by laying down the
Mary Stenhouse, a wooden sailing-ship of 1289 tons register; and the
vessel was launched in the following year.

The operations of the firm were continued until the year 1859, when the
shipbuilding establishments on Queen's Island were acquired by Mr. E.
J. Harland (afterwards Harland and Wolff), since which time the
development of this great branch of industry in Belfast has been rapid
and complete.

From the history of this firm, it will be found that energy is the most
profitable of all merchandise; and that the fruit of active work is the
sweetest of all fruits. Harland and Wolff are the true Watt and
Boulton of Belfa