Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/470

 466 PLEASANTS. name, no most noble, or right honourable caught the admir ing gaze, purchased these titles in perpetuity, from every being who bows at the shrine of virtue, from every heart that expands at the touch of feeling, humanity, or charity. He purchased a piece of ground, April 1814, and pro ceeded to the erection of that useful and elegant fabric, the Stove Tenter House, at an expense of upwards of 14,000l. being four times the amount of the sum solicited as a subscription amongst wealthy individuals and patriotic societies 11 ? This admirable fabric is two hundred and sixteen feet long, and twenty-two wide, it has three lofts, supported by iron pillars, with floors of the most ingenious construction; the admirable yet simple manner with which iron tenters, stoves, and other apparatus are com bined, exhibits skill and strength that cannot be surpassed; it is likewise rendered fire proof. A few hours now effect, in perfection, what heretofore could not be attained in an imperfect manner, in many days. In various parts of the building are appropriate mottoes cast on plates of iron, to attract the attention of the artisan employed, and impress on their minds the maxims of industry, sobriety, and morality. From September 29th, 1816, to December 24th, 1817, one thousand six hundred and eighty-three pieces of cloth, two thousand and ninety-six warps, and one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three stones of wool have been sized, dried, tentered, and finished beneath the fostering influence of the Stove Tenter House. The Meath or County Hospital, situated in the same popu lous district, from want of sufficient funds, could not afford relief to the numbers who claimed it; and there being no operation room, the surgeons and patients were distressed by the necessity of performing a l l i n the open wards. Mr. Pleasants could not contemplate, unmoved, such calls o n humanity, and a t one time h e sent the sum o f 6000l.-4000l. o f i t t o build a n operating room, &c. — and the interest o f the residue t o b e applied for ever t o purchase wine and other necessaries for the afflicted. He presented the Dublin Society with 100l. worth o f valuable