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2 IRELAND.
were almost as much strangers to each other as if the channel that dlvldea
them had been actually impassable.
The introduction of steam has made them, as it ,
voyage now, either from Liverpool to Dublin, or from Bristol to W ater-
ford or Cork, is far more comfortable and less fatiguing than a Journey to
errors are
York; the natural effect has been, that prejudices and l’0l’ulm' .
passing away from both countries, that a more just and 1‘i1tI0Y111l 0StU1111t0 11513
been formed by the one of the other, and that a union, based 011 Illutllill
interests, is rapidly cementinrr. The insane attempts to procure. ,“Rcpe-al”
may retard, for a time, a consummation for which every upright British subJect
wish; but a growing intelligence and an increasing intimacy
s of the measure will vainly endeavour to
were, one island; the
must devoutly
are barriers which the advocate
break down. It is our intention to avoid, as far as possible, all irritating and
party topics; but it will be our duty to consider England and Ireland as one
country-to draw more closely the ties that unite them, and to condemn, as
the most mischievous of all projects, that which either contemplates or leads to
separation-the inevitable consequence of a repeal of the Union. Upon this
subject, therefore, we may feel bound, hereafter, to submit to our readers the
results of our observation and experience.
The steam-boats that ply between the two countries have, in fact, facili-
tated intercourse almost as much as a bridge across St. Georges Channel would
have done. The elegance with which they are fitted up, the moderate fares,
and the attention to comfort, in all respects, have made the journey from
England to Ireland an excursion of pleasure, instead of a weary, dangerous,
prolonged, and expensive voyage. But they have produced advantages of far
greater import; inasmuch as they have largely contributed to develop and
increase the resources of the country, and to improve the moral and social
condition of the people. Sixteen years ago, the St. George Steam Company
established packets between the port of Cork and the ports of Dublin, Liver-
pool, and Bristol, and, more recently, of London. The value of the poor man’s
property immediately augmented; previously, he was at the mercy of agents
who purchased his produce at fairs, compelling him to sell at the prices they
dictated, or to return with it, in many instances a distance of twenty miles.
The old saying that “ the pig paid the rent” was literally true; and the fair-
day was always the rent-day". Now, he is, himself, very frequently, the export
merchant, and accompanies to England his half score of pigs, his crate of fowl,
or his hamper of eggs. Hence he obtains a knowledge of men and manners:
naturally shrewd and inquisitive, he looks around him as he travels along; his
curiosity is excited; he inquires and" examines, and takes back with him