The use of stake-nets gradually extended into other 

 friths, particularly in the north. And although, from 

 the want of knowledge and experience, the success, at 

 first, was not quite equal to that which attended the fish- 

 eries on the Tay, yet, everywhere, the produce was be- 

 yond all former experience. 



So striking and universal was this result, that the 

 upper heritors, the proprietors of the old river fisheries, 

 became alarmed. The new mode of fishing was not 

 suited for their stations ; and it threatened with destruc- 

 tion that MONOPOLY which they had so long, and so in- 

 juriously for the public, been permitted to enjoy. Ac- 

 cordingly, first, in the Tay, and, afterwards, in other ri- 

 vers, these proprietors used every effort to put an end to 

 the system which had been adopted in the friths. They 

 asserted, that so tremendous a capture of Salmon could 

 not be made without the most pernicious consequences. 

 They complained that the breed of Salmon would be de- 

 stroyed, and that, unless stake-nets were prohibited, the 

 species would become extinct. A hue and cry, in short, 

 was raised. The prophetic clamour was well calculated 

 to work on the ignorance and credulity of the public ; and, 

 with one accord, all were in arms. 



Whether the upper heritors really believed all that 

 they alleged, it is not necessary to inquire ; and 

 it will be seen in the sequel, that never were fears 

 more groundless. But, if they were not truly alarm- 

 ed by this phantom of their own creation, at least they 

 certainly perceived that the monopoly which they had 

 until then enjoyed, was in danger ; and that, if a quanti- 

 ty of fish, ten times greater, and of a richer quality, and 

 in better condition than had ever before been in the market, 

 was brought into competition with the produce of their 



