APPRENTICES AND SALMON. 313 



the old woman's cottage. She was a long time gone, 

 and I hoped that she and the old woman were looking 

 for the indenture. At last the messenger returned. 

 " The old woman had burnt the papers last week ; " so 

 I must go on with my hunting for this precious docu- 

 ment. 



The idea generally prevails that this clause signifies 

 great plenty of salmon available for food in the various 

 rivers. I do not, by any means, put this interpretation 

 on the story. My theory is that, in the spring months, 

 the good folks used to go out and catch the kelts which 

 come helpless and emaciated down the river after spawn- 

 ing operations. 



Salmon in this condition are easily captured ; many 

 were, doubtless, a^ now, picked up dead in the river, 

 and dreadfully nasty, tough, unwholesome food they 

 invariably afford. Now, provident citizens who had 

 apprentices to feed would buy large numbers of these 

 kelts, salt them down, hang them up in a dry place to 

 dry, and use them as food, upon which the unfortunate 

 apprentices might be fed at a cheap rate for many months 

 to come. A few dozen salted kelts were doubtless, in 

 the eyes of the domestic economists of those days, a 

 grand saving to the yearly bills, and quite good enough 

 for apprentices ; hence the protest to this kind of food 

 on the part of these misused individuals. 



In my Keport for 1878 (dated 1879), I have given a 

 general view of the salmon-bearing capabilities of all 

 the rivers in England and Wales which my colleague, 

 Mr. Spencer Walpole, and myself have to examine and 

 report upon to the Home Secretary. 



In my Report for 1879, dated 1880 (C 2587), I have 

 made a catalogue of all the names I could ascertain, 

 which are given to the various kinds of salmon in 



