If the High Rates of Interest in _Ireland_ be considered, and the present State of the Linnen Manufacture there, ’twill not be difficult to see, how unlikely it is to be carried on by private Stocks, who can make Ten _per Cent. per Annum_, by letting out their Money; ’tis true, the late Act hath reduced it to Eight, but that Act having no regard to Incumbrances entred into before the 25th of _March_, 1704, I do not see how it will much help the People of _Ireland_ at this Time, when the Scarcity of Money does disable them to discharge prior Engagements; so that private Men have Opportunities enough to settle theirs at Ten _per Cent._ which in all probability they will rather chute, than to lay it out in Linnens, unless they can be assured of a far greater Profit, than they can make by letting it out. Besides, as Interest is now managed, ’tis both a Clog to the Gentlemen’s Estates, and a Discouragement to Traders and Manufacturers, considering, that the whole Sum borrowed must be paid in at once; by which means, being got into the Usurer’s Books, they can scarce ever find the way out; Now if the Borrower had Liberty to pay in the Principle, by such Parts as he is able to raise it, and the Interest for so much to cease from that time, this would encourage Industry, and promote Improvements, both in Product and Manufactures, which are the two Things that encrease the Wealth of a Nation. An Infant-Manufacture must be carried on at a small Profit, and must as I may say, Fight its way through; which cannot be done, where Interest carries such a Load with it; and, therefore, I am of Opinion, that nothing less than a Joint-Stock, can make _Ireland_ Flourish; which will in the Consequence turn likewise to the Advantage of _England_; the Gentlemen of _Ireland_, being by these Means made more easy in their Circumstances, and having their former Incumbrances brought Lower, will spend more of their Money here, and wear more of our Manufactures there. Nor will this way of Lending out Money be any Disadvantage to a Corporation, who will find fit Opportunities of Employing their Stock, as fast as it is paid in; and the Profits thereof being returned hither in Linnens, they may afford to sell them cheaper than private Stocks can do.