Z THE FISHERIES. 



months at the ead of the season, this fish may be 

 considered as a luxury, only attainable by the rich : 

 during the greater part of the season the liege sub- 

 jects of our Lady the Queen, are as effectually debar- 

 red from partaking of it, as if some sumptuary law 

 were in force prohibiting its production on their 

 tables. 



The ffreat increase, too, in the value of salmon, 

 as an article of commerce, notwithstanding facihties 

 of steam conveyance, and the consequent extension 

 of markets, is ascribable also, we would say, to the 

 decreased supply ; for whether we make the inquiry 

 on the banks of the Shannon or the Foyle, or in the 

 rich marts and markets of Liverpool or London, we 

 shall find the price to be but too true an index to 

 tiie progressive scarcity of the fish. The matter, 

 therefore, demands not only an inquiry into the 

 cause, but the apphcation of the remedy, if the latter 

 shall be found to be within the reach of the Legisla- 

 ture; unfortunately, Parhament has before its view 

 the experience and the fate of the Enghsh Salmon- 

 fisheries ; these have declined away, and are almost 

 extinct : the decline of Eno-land is not a mere vision- 

 ary speculation as regards its salmon, but is really a 

 sober fact ; indeed, she may now be said to depend 

 altogether upon Ireland and Scotland for her sup- 

 ply of this valuable article, while to Ireland the ex- 

 port of it, is of much commercial importance, from 

 the increased facility of transport from all the great 

 fisheries. Our salmon cauo-ht in the Shannon, or 



