The Express.
London, England, 1853-12-22 00:00:00

POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.

A very interesting lecture was delivered here yes-
terday, by Mr. W. Bullock Webster, " On the agricultural
advantages of Ireland as a vast field for investment or re-
sidence." The lecturer commenced:by stating that out of:the
twenty millions of acres:of Irish lsud only about two millions
of acres are really incapable of cultivation. The soil, gene-
rally superior to that of England, contains little or no rank
clays or pour sand (except on the coast), and is nearly all
suited to the growth of grass and root crops, and of wheat
to a certain extent. Timber of all hind grows well, while
for manure there are plentiful ;supplies of seaweed, carbo-
nate of lime, bog water, &c. Labour unlimited is to be
had at wages as low in some localities as Is. per day for
men, 6d. women, and 4d. bays, rising of course on
approaching large towns. Fuel, abundantly supplied by
the bogs, will be hereafter still more plentifully furnished
when the coal fields ars mere fully developed, and the
lecturer had no doubt that on ettainiug a greater depth
than has yet been reached, coal will be found of as fine
a quality as any that is produced in this country. Many
other advantages and inducements for agricultural settlers
in Ireland were points d out by Mr. Webster, such as the
cheapness of land, the facilities for transit afforded by excel-
lent roads with scarcely any turnpike; canals, and rivers—
the finest breeds of sheep and cattle already located in tne
country—building materials of al kinds at hand, Sic. With
all these advantages added to c fine climate and picturesque
scenery within a few hours distance of England, the lecturer
expressed his surprise that so many should embark 'their
future in the far-off regions of America, Australia, and
New Zealand, instead of seeking so profitable, agreeable,
and easily available a field as n.ay be found in the sister
island. As to the supposed inbczurity of life and property in
Ireland (one of the chief deterring causes), the lecturer
stated his belief, derived from several years residence, that
there is now fully as much security even in the wildest dis-
tricts of Ireland as in any other locality in the world. To
many Ireland would prove attractive on account of the ad-
vantages it offered ler sporting pursuits, whether bunting,
shooting, or fishing, while, even in the remotest localities,
some good society is to be found. Mr. Webster dwelt on
the great changes which bad lately taken place in the condi-
tion of Ireland by the introcuction of railways, improved
education, encumbered estates sales, the Dublin Exhibi-
tion, and the royal visits, and referred to a leading article
in the Daily News of yesterdny as illustrating some of the
important aspects of Ireland. Some remarkably fine
examples of Irish agricultural produce were exhibited, as
shown at the Smithfield Cattlu Show, and attracted much
attention, as did also some sweetmeat of crochet and lace
work made by poor Irish children. At the termination of
the lecture, which was listened to with great interest, and
received with much applause, Mr. Mechi made seine ob-
servations complimentary to hlr.Webster, and confirmatory
of the general truths enunciated. ?dr. Mechi, himself au
Irish landholder, spoke in the highest terms of the capa-
bilities of the country for agricultural purposes.