THE FISHERIES. o7 



procity, or reciprocal advantages, for those which 

 we have so Uberallj afforded to them in free-trade 

 The Commissioners of British Fisheries complain 

 that foreign markets are ahnost closed against Br:- 

 tish herrings by the high rates of import duty. 

 They enumerate in this iUiberal categor^^ Austria 

 Russia, France, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, Den- 

 mark, Portugal, and Spain ; and they strongly im- 

 press upon the Board of Trade the necessity for its 

 good offices, in procuring new^ markets, and remov- 

 ing the jealousies and oppressive enactments of fo- 

 reign governments, in which event, they state, that 

 an unbounded Continental market would be secured. 

 The Commissioners conclude their Report in a truly 

 gratifying manner, by pointing to the prosperity 

 they have originated ; the towns and harbours they 

 have created ; the population they have sustained ; 

 the industry they have excited, and the boundless 

 resources which lie yet undeveloped before them. 

 The most cursory examination of the lucid and 

 comprehensive documents and reports emanating 

 from the Commissioners of British Fisheries will 

 evidence the great pains and anxiety they have de- 

 voted to the improvement of the Scottish Fisheries, 

 and the transcendant success which has attended 

 their exertions. In their buoyant and exhilirating 

 Report there is but one lugubrious feature : they 

 complain that the export of their cured fish to Ire- 

 land w^as dechning. Alas ! the bulk of our unhappy 



population had ceased to eat herrings, or anything 



d2 



