wn known even now as the Liberties.
This quarter was inhabited altogether by workers in wool, and as the
city was small, the aristocracy lived close by in noble mansions which
are now miserable memorials of past prosperity. About 1700 the English
legislature prevailed on William III. to assent to laws which directly
crushed the Irish trade. All exportation except to England was
peremptorily forbidden, and the woollen manufacture soon decayed. But at
the close of the 18th century there were 5000 persons at work in the
looms of the Liberties. About 1715 parliament favoured the manufacture
of linen, and the Linen Hall was built. The cotton trade was soon
afterwards introduced; and silk manufacture was begun by the Huguenots,
who had settled in Dublin in considerable numbers after the revocation
of the edict of Nantes. Acts favourable to these enterprises were
passed, and they flourished apace. But the old jealousy arose in the
reign of George I., and in the reign of George III. an act was passed
which tended directly to the ruin of the manufacture. The linen shared
the same fate. Dublin poplins, however, keep their reputation. However
adverse influences may have been combated, Dublin yet produces little
for export save whisky and porter, the latter from the famous Guinness
brewery and others; but a considerable export trade, principally in
agricultural produce, passes through Dublin from the country. The total
annual export trade may be valued at about L120,000, while imports
exceed in value L3,000,000. To the manufacturing industries of the city
there should be added mineral water works, foundries and shipbuilding.

Harbour.

By continual dredging a great depth of water is kept available in the
harbour. The Dublin Port and Docks Board, which was created in 1898 and
consists of the mayor and six members of the corporation, with other
members representing the trading and shipping interests, undertook
considerable works of improvement at the beginning of the 20th century.
These improvements, _inter alia_, enabled vessels drawing up to 23 ft.
to lie alongside the extensive quays which border the Liffey, at low
tide. The extensive Alexandra tidal basin, on the north side of the
Liffey, admits vessels of similar capacity. The Custom House Works on
the north side have about 17 ft. of water. With docks named after them
are connected the Royal and Grand Canals, passing respectively to north
and south of the city, the one pene