id that "the dignity which
that enterprising man imparted to labour, and the halo which his
example cast around physical exertion, had the best effect in raising
the tone of popular feeling, as well among the patricians as among the
peasants of the north of Ireland. This love of industry did much to
break down the national prejudice in favour of idleness, and cast
doubts on the social orthodoxy of the idea then so popular with the
squirearchy, that those alone who were able to live without employment
had any rightful claim to the distinctive title of gentleman.... A
patrician by birth and a merchant by profession, Crommelin proved, by
his own life, his example, and his enterprise, that an energetic
manufacturer may, at the same time, take a high place in the
conventional world."

[19] Benn's History of Belfast, p. 78.

[20] From the Irish Manufacturers' Almanack for 1883 I learn that
nearly one-third of the spindles used in Europe in the linen trade, and
more than one-fourth of the power-looms, belong to Ireland, that "the
Irish linen and associated trades at present give employment to 176,303
persons; and it is estimated that the capital sunk in spinning and
weaving factories, and the business incidental thereto, is about
100,000,000L., and of that sum 37,000,000L. is credited to Belfast
alone."

[21] The importation of coal in 1883 amounted to over 700,000 tons.

[22] We are indebted to the obliging kindness of the Right Hon. Mr.
Fawcett, Postmaster-General for this return. The total number of
depositors in the Post Office Savings banks in the Parliamentary
borough of Belfast is 10,827 and the amount of their deposits,
including the interest standing to their credit, on the 31st December,
1882, was 158,064L. 0s. 1d.

An important item in the savings of Belfast, not included in the above
returns, consists in the amounts of deposits made with the various
Limited Companies, as well as with the thriving Building Societies in
the town and neighbourhood.

CHAPTER XI.

SHIPBUILDING IN BELFAST--ITS ORIGIN AND PROGRESS.

BY SIR E. J. HARLAND, ENGINEER AND SHIPBUILDER.

"The useful arts are but reproductions or new combinations by the art
of man, of the same natural benefactors. He no longer waits for
favouring gales, but by means of steam he realises the fable of
AEolus's bag, and carries the two-and-thirty winds in the boiler of his
boat."--Emerson.

"The most exquisite and the most expensive machinery i