OYSTERS, AND ALL ABOUT THEM. 



French Government, among other things, to the trial of 

 French subjects in English courts. Offences under the 

 Treaty are clearly defined, and may be prosecuted ; but 

 English complainants must follow French offenders to 

 French courts, and the provisions are practically in abey- 

 ance. The single exception alluded to is in regard to the 

 question of a close time for oysters, which was fixed from 

 June 1 6th to August jist. Both Governments have been 

 enabled to pass a law prohibiting boats from carrying 

 dredges between those dates, and forbidding the sale of 

 oysters taken beyond the three-mile limit (ij between those 

 dates ; and, as common action has been taken in this respect, 

 these bivalves are adequately protected in accordance with 

 the views entertained on both sides on this subject. In all 

 other respects, in such important matters as the prosecu- 

 tion of offenders, the admission of English fishermen to 

 French ports, and of French fishermen to English ports, 

 to sell their fish, and the prevention of disputes, the Con- 

 vention remains a dead letter ; and, although the Conven- 

 tion of 1843 has been revived by an English Act, whereby 



(z) No one individual has an exclusive property in the sea, except 

 in "oyster beds, &c. ;" it is common to all the subjects equally of the 

 state which borders it ; and further than this, when once the three- 

 mile limit of the mare clausum has been passed, its enjoyment becomes 

 an international right. By modern International Law the territorial 

 sea extends for three miles from the shore. It is designated the mare 

 clausum because it is "closed" to foreigners, and, except by implied 

 or express permission, the right to use these waters is exclusively 

 enjoyed by the subjects of the adjoining state. Formerly, the width 

 from the shore was limited by the reach of a cannon-shot quousque 

 tormenta exploduntur (vide Selden ; and Bynkershcek De Dom. Mar. 

 cap. 2) ; but modern international usage has fixed the distance at a 

 marine league. (Relations of the State with Fishermen and Fisheries, 

 &c. By F. J. Talfourd Chater.) 



