58 THE FISHERIES. 



else, we fear, and the enormous exportations of that 

 article to Ireland had lamentably declined. 



Let us now take a view of our Irish sea-coast. 

 Behold the roofless cottage — the boat stranded on 

 the beach — the coast almost depopulated — the poor- 

 house full. How is this ? Do the herrings turn 

 tail upon us, or shun our shores ? or have the tur- 

 bot, the sole, and all the finny tribes, forsaken us ? 

 No such thing. Is our coast population indolent or 

 cowardly ? beheve it not : they want instruction and 

 culture ; they want encouragement and aid ; but 

 they are not deficient either in courage or in en- 

 ergy. Our fishermen will go to sea in " cots," or 

 face the Atlantic surge in " curraghs " made of can- 

 vass, in which the well-equipped mariner of other 

 countries would not venture to set a foot. Neither 

 have the fish deserted us ; they abound upon our 

 shores or visit our bays in never-failing profusion ; 

 even while we are penning these hues, a fleet of 

 Cornish fishing boats is leaving our shores, laden 

 with the fit reward of their well-requited toils. 

 Two hundred sail of these vessels dropped anchor 

 in Howth Harbour this season, and fished under the 

 friendly ray of the Poolbeg and Baily lights, almost 

 within sight of our metropolis ; and each summer 

 they carry off a golden harvest in the presence of 

 our starving fishermen. Our fishermen attend upon 

 them, land their fish, or carry it to distant markets, 

 and the utmost harmony prevails between them. 

 We have seen and conversed with these intelligent 



