580 DEMORALIZED STATE OF THE FISHERMEN. 



Norwegian Sow (a publication deriving its name from 

 a bog of unnatural form a priifi-t monster, in short 

 that existed in tbe province of Aggerbuus in 1581, and 

 tbe advent of whicb was looked on by tbe superstitious 

 as tbe precursor of God's vengeance for tbe sins of tbe 

 people), wben speaking of the same glut, testifies to tbe 

 like effect, and even in stronger language. During tbe 

 last successful fishery that from 1747 to 1808 matter-. 

 instead of improving, would appear, by tbe testimony of 

 M. Holmberg, to have been still worse. He writes : 

 " The vagabond life led by the people in the Skiirg;ml 

 exceeded all belief blasphemy, outrages, immorality of 

 all kinds, and scenes of beastly drunkenness, were going 

 on all day. From morning to evening the fishermen and 

 others were seen staggering about in their houses, in 

 their boats, and on the piers erected for the protection of 

 tbe latter ; whilst the nights were devoted to debaucheries 

 of the worst description. This was, however, the less 

 surprising, as the people of both sexes thus congregated 

 together consisted for the most part of the very dregs of 

 society ; and as there was no police to keep them under 

 control, one can therefore hardly wonder at the inha- 

 bitants of tbe province saying, as they now do, ' (Jn<l 

 lute Sillen aldrig komiim nji-n ; ' that is, ' We hope to God 

 the herrings will never return.' ' 



