The present state of England. Part III. and Part IV. containing I. an account of the riches, strength, magnificence, natural production, manufactures of this island, with an exact catalogue of the nobility, and their seats, &c., II. the trade and commerce within it self, and with all countries traded to by the English, as at this day established, and all other matters relating to inland and marine affairs : supplying what is omitted in the two former parts ...

CHAP. IX. A view of Ireland, and of the Trade, Manners, and Present State of that Kingdom.

IReland, is divided into four Provinces, viz. Lempster, Munster, Connought, Ʋl∣ster, and Meath, and is four hundred Miles in Length, and two hundred in Breadth, the chief Cities and Towns are Dublin, Kinnsail, London Derry, Limrick, Cork, Waterford, Armah, Dungannon, Marleburg, Phillips-Town, Kildare, and Tradah.

This Kingdom abounds in Navigable Ri∣vers, store of Fish, Cattle, and Hides; which are Transported into Spain, France, and Italy; Salmon are caught in such a∣bundance in July, and August, that many Servants in the places of that Fishery, Covenant with their Master upon their be∣ing hired, that they will not feed upon

Salmon, but only so many days in a Week. These they Salt and Barrel up, sending them into all the Neighbouring Countries, where they are received as good Mer∣chandise; the Herring Fishery is likewise used and improved by them, as likewise Pilchards, which are taken in August, Sep∣tember, and October; and Transported into Spain, France, and the Streights of Gibral∣tar: they have store likewise of Butter, Cheese, Calves-Skins, and other necessary Commodities: Their Corn for the most part is the same with ours, yet in value not the same, for a pound Sterling Irish, is worth, according to the Intrinsick value, no more then fifteen Shillings English, and the Shilling consequently but nine pence Sterling, six pence Irish but four pence half penny Sterling. The Exchange is pra∣ctised in the City of Dublin, but of little use as to any Transmarine Places, un∣less England, and there Principally London and Bristol, commonly running at eight pence upon the pound, or at most but one Shilling, which is but five pound per cent.

The Weights and Measures are (or for the most part) consistent to those of Eng∣land, and in fine it is a Country exceeding fertil, abounding in all things necessary for the use of man, which would turn to great

advantage, were the Inhabitants but Industri∣ous, especially in fitting out Ships for Na∣vigation; but they for the most part roave abroad, improving other Countries, and neglecting their own. Their chief Mer∣chandise are in Fish, which they send into France, Spain, England, Scotland, and other parts of Europe. And thus I shall leave this Kingdom and return, or rather Sail round Brittain, to take a View of the Islands of the Sea, or Ocean Islands.