New Walks in Old Ways 



less something happens soon to revive 

 the deep-sea trade, it looks as if the 

 traditional baked potato might soon be 

 looking in vain for its erstwhile bone- 

 less boon table companion. Nearby, 

 on the stocks at Essex, may be seen 

 the keels and ribs of a few sailing 

 vessels under slow construction, where 

 in the good old days great "clippers," 

 the pride and glory of the whole New 

 England coast, once had their chris- 

 tenings. While the fine old Gloucester 

 fleet is fast fading away, still the docks 

 of these famous old-time fishing towns 

 are not yet wholly abandoned. In fact, 

 the cod-curing plants are still extensive, 

 and at times active. The clam-diggers 

 and tenders of lobster traps still ply 

 their trade, but pessimism seems 

 chronic in a good part of New England ; 

 farmers competing with fishermen in 

 bewailing the evil days which they 

 claim have fallen upon them. 



The Yankee himself hasn't much to 

 work with. The sea is more productive 

 [172] 



