PREFACE. IX 



thence occasioned to property, public and pri- 

 vate, can in some respects never be either re- 

 medied or repaired. The chief influence in the 

 control and management of the fisheries, was, 

 at the period in question, transferred to the 

 promoter of those theories, and the result was 

 not difiicult to foresee: — the new speculative 

 system was at once adopted and introduced into 

 practice, and it now is, of little import, that these 

 theories have been since universally condemned, 

 and that the projector and promoter of them 

 has ceased to have further influence or control 

 over the fisheries. The injury was done: an 

 erroneous system was ingrafted upon the per- 

 manent legislation of the country; and a retro- 

 grade movement now, has become all but impos- 

 sible. Such have been the results as far as the 

 fisheries are concerned: but the appeal to public 

 opinion which has been lately raised in England 

 with reference to a right administration of the 

 public afiairs in practical and scientific depart- 

 ments, renders it very unlikely that the Fish- 



