246 APODES. 



measure two and a half inches In diameter. So 

 much for the notes of our obhging correspondent. 

 The witty editor of the Boston Evening Tran- 

 script, however, the day after the ever memora- 

 ble piscatorial triumph, goes on to say : — ''A bill 

 has passed the Senate, ' to preserve the Eel fishe- 

 ry at Muskeeket Island, within the town of Nan- 

 tucket.' We like this. We are glad the Mus- 

 Jceelcet interest is carefully looked after. Why 

 should not eels enjoy protection as well as ale- 

 wives and herrings ? There are some provisions 

 in the bill, which may be thought arbitrary, and 

 perhaps be resisted by the Muskeeket democrats, 

 if any of those odd fish are there resident. ' No 

 person shall take,' says the act, ' from any creek, 

 cove or harbor, on the Island, more than three doz- 

 en eels at one time, without permit of the select- 

 men, under penalty o^ fifty cents for each and ev- 

 ery additional dozen so taken.' The Muskeekets 

 and their neighbors are a shrewd and slippery race, 

 and we venture to wager a shin, that no man, wo- 

 man or child will take less than three dozen and 

 eleven, provided they can catch so many. Be- 

 sides, as they may take as many eels as they can, 

 and skin and behead them as fast as they are 

 taken, a question might arise whether having only 

 the decapitated and skinless bodies in their pos- 

 session, the law w^ould hold them guilty of hav- 



