216 FISH CULTURE. 



against the French boats, when a few of them were 

 summoned and fined in small amounts. 1 



Now, it cannot for a moment be doubted but that 

 the slightest hint from the Admiralty, or the depart- 

 ment of the Government under which the cruisers are 

 placed, as to the necessity of a little activity in putting 

 down these irregularities, would result in their instant 

 suppression. It avails nothing to say that the cruiser 

 was away on other duty — here, or there, or anywhere — 

 when these things occurred, and therefore did not see 

 them. If one cruiser is not equal to the work, surely 

 we are rich enough to support two or three, or half a 

 dozen if it be necessary ! These things should cease, 

 or, rather, never have occurred : it is an affront put 

 upon us, and a robbery upon our citizens — for a fisher- 

 man, like any one else, pays his taxes that he may be 

 protected and enjoy the rights of a British subject ; 

 and for trumpery fishing-boats to venture upon such 

 an impertinence on our own shores, again and again, 

 may well cause us to doubt whether Britannia really 

 does rule the waves. 



Some years since my father, the late Captain 

 John Morgan, B.N., had charge of the interests of 



1 One or two of the French boats were summoned and fined 

 trifling amounts during the past season, but the fines are far too 

 light to arrest the practice. 



