61 



operation of the stake-nets. It will establish, that the 

 change asked is not only due, as an act of private justice 

 to the proprietors of estates along the coasts; but is deeply 

 interwoven with some of the best interests of the public, 

 and eminently calculated to advance the prosperity, increase 

 the riches, and promote the general industry and wealth of 

 the nation. 



POSTSCEIPT. 



OKE great purpose of submitting these Observations to 

 the public, has been attained. A degree of attention to the 

 subject has been excited, which cannot fail to do infinite 

 good. 



This good, however, is not to be secured without active 

 exertions ; and what has occurred since the meeting of 

 Parliament, shews that such exertions, if meant to be ef- 

 fectual, must be immediate. 



The enemies of the stake-net mode of fishing, have in- 

 troduced a Bill into the House of Commons, which has 

 already been hurried, with great precipitation, through 

 several of its stages. In its preamble, it is set forth as 

 being for the public advantage. But, from the nature of 

 the enactments proposed, it very obviously is intended to 

 serve the private ends of a few interested individuals, and 

 absolutely to exclude the public advantage, by ri vetting 

 the old monopoly of the river proprietors. 



The Bill is in general circulation among those concern, 

 cd, and is entitled, c A Bill for regulating and improving 

 * the Salmon- Fisheries in the river Tay 9 and the rivers and 



