THE FISHERIES. 4 i 



serves order and regularity on the crowded fishing 

 grounds. We think some similar provision will be 

 necessary in our fisheries. We should like to see 

 the " Self-Reliance" or the ''Industry" cutter, cruis- 

 ing around our fishing stations ; our fishermen will 

 see even in the cannon on her deck, a solicitude for 

 their welfare, and a watchfulness of their interests. 

 Extensive at first view though these requirements 

 may seem, they involve no very serious expenditure, 

 comparatively with the magnitude of the moral and 

 national advantages that may be expected to result 

 from tliem. The present public expenditure upon 

 the British Fisheries cannot be otherwise regarded 

 than as a due application of the finances of the 

 State, when we see in one item alone, a milhon ster- 

 hng reproduced annually in national wealth ; and 

 towns, and harbours, and thriving communities 

 springing up under its fostering influence. The 

 Parliamentary grant of £14,000 per annum, for the 

 control and management of the Scotch Fisheries, 

 sinks almost into insignificance when contrasted with 

 such results. Neither are our fisheries intended by 

 nature, nor should they be allowed by governments 

 or human laws, to stagnate in neglect. We may wit- 

 ness in almost every provincial town in Ireland, im- 

 ported cured fish retailed at high prices ; but if we 

 make only a short excursion from our shores, we 

 shall see the very waters instinct, and moving with 

 life, or perceive the ocean for miles indicating by 

 well-known appearances the masses which are mov- 

 ing below, or bristling in myriads at the surface ! 



