INTEODUCTION. 



The Council of the Fisheries Preservation Association, 

 in bringing under public notice the subject of the pollution 

 of rivers, deem it unnecessary to use many words of their 

 own in order to secure due attention to an evil which in 

 its wide-spread extent and baneful effects has become one 

 of the deepest 7iational importance. 



The facts adduced in these pages, taken from the most 

 authentic sources, sufficiently prove its colossal and neces- 

 sarily ever increasing proportions, and trumpet-tongued 

 proclaim the necessity of some prompt and comprehensive 

 remedial measure, to protect from further injury and de- 

 struction the health and lives of the people, and save from 

 further annihilation what, but for these pollutions and 

 other grievous injuries to the river fisheries, would form 

 a very valuable addition to their food. 



The Council therefore in the few observations they pro- 

 pose to make, need do little more than point out (but to 

 the important fact they invite special attention), that 

 while the Royal Commissioners and the other authorities 

 quoted have all in the strongest terms denounced the pol- 

 lution of our rivers by sewage, and mine, and manufactur- 

 ing refuse, as a most intolerable and dangerous nuisance 

 that must be abated, they one and all at the same time 

 concur in declaring that it can be abated and in a manner 

 satisfactory to all parties ; that sewage can easily and pro- 

 fitably, and without danger to the public health be got 

 rid of by application to the land, and that the noxious 



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