THE FISHERIES. 



In the following pages it is intended to enter into a 

 full inquiry relative to the Irish Fisheries ; and, 

 at the same time, some comments will be made upon 

 the Bill lately introduced into Parliament, and now 

 pending, for the amendment of the laws relating to 

 them. Year after year this subject is acquiring a 

 deeper interest ; the Sea-fisheries languish in a state 

 of almost total neglect ; and the Salmon-fisheries are 

 falhng into decay under the operation of laws framed 

 ostensibly for their improvement. The inland, or 

 Salmon-fisheries, will form the first subject of our 

 investigation ; but, before we conclude, we shall ex- 

 tend the sphere of our inquiries, and carefully exa- 

 mine and scrutinize the measures necessary for a full 

 development of the Sea and Sea-coast Fisheries — 

 sources of industry and wealth which, although now 

 drooping from neglect and apathy, are yet well wor- 

 thy of national consideration. 



As an article of food, salmon is becoming each 

 year less plentiful in our markets; it can truly 

 be asserted, that, with the exception of about two 



