THE FISHERIES. H 



more stringent regulations are proposed respecting 

 them, than can be found in the legislation of 1842 or 

 of any previous period. 



But to proceed. In the year 1842, the notable 

 theory was propounded, that sufficient modes of cap- 

 ture were not in use (whereas the direct contrary 

 was the fact), and that, by increasing the means of 

 capturing salmon in the sea and tideway, the gross 

 quantity taken, and available to the pubHc, would be 

 thereby increased. Shall we proceed to demolish 

 this absurd theory ? — shall we even condescend to 

 give it an answer ? The answer is to be found in 

 the prostration, and ruin of our Salmon-fisheries. 



Again : said these projectors ; those ancient weirs, 

 which have existed so long, are monopolies, and are 

 exhausting the fisheries. And what, gentle reader ! 

 do you suppose was the remedy proposed ? Why, to 

 legahze and establish a monopoly in the sea, and at the 

 mouths of rivers, far more devouring. The argument 

 was this — and here is a correct recapitulation of it ; 

 Firstly, the more engines of capture you establish, 

 and the more salmon you catch, the better for the 

 public. Secondly ; as one fixed engine is too de-. 

 structive, establish six ! 



These theories, gentle reader, have left you from 

 January to June almost without a salmon for yout 

 table. It is an incontrovertible fact, that for the first 

 four months of the fishing season, a good salmon is of 

 greater money value than a sheep. 



But let us proceed to Mr. Conolly's Bill ; and let 



