60 THE UNAPPRECIATED FISHER FOLK. 
over £1,200 worth of Mackerel were taken in one month. In 
another locality a very poor man to whom a boat and net 
were given, costing only £12, realised in three nights 
by herring fishing, nearly £60. The inspector, after great 
experience of their working, says, “every year’s experience 
still further convinces me of the great importance of these 
loans to poor fishermen. In my opinion their fishing pursuits 
are far more valuable than their farming, and both can be 
carried on together with great advantage, not only to the 
people themselves who follow this pursuit as a part of 
their means of living, but to the country at large by the 
production of a large quantity of valuable food.” It is to 
be hoped, from what is known of the really beneficial results 
flowing from such aid, that still more will be forthcoming ; 
there is undoubtedly a great field of enterprise open to 
the Irish fisher-folk, even taking into account the poor 
harbour accommodation, and the distances at which pro- 
fitable markets have to be sought. 
The Irish fisher folk, as a class, are singularly honest 
and virtuous, not so much given to dissipation or riotous 
behaviour as has been asserted, and whenever a prospect 
of fair reward is held out for labour expended, they will 
embark in any fishing enterprise. As was recently said 
of the Irish fisherman, the man who voluntarily seeks his 
living on the sea, cannot be wanting in aptitude for work, 
courage, or perseverance against adverse circumstances. 
The Irish fisher folk are much the same to-day in their social 
habits as they were centuries ago. Their sanitary surround- 
ings are not of the best, and their superstitions and prejudices 
are much the same, more intensified, perhaps, if that 
be possible, than those of their Scottish and Cornish 
brethren. A well-known member of the Society of Friends 
(Mr. Allen, Black Rock, near Dublin) it is interesting to 
