15 



inquiry into such a subject ; but when it issaid that 

 the coast of Fife, being situated between the Frith 



and Tav, is so much resorted to by this fish, and 

 * * 



that, on this account, it is unjust to prevent the coast 

 proprietors from taking all they can, and in any 

 manner they find expedient; one cannot help 

 seeing, that it must be for the sole purpose of 

 ascending these rivers, that such quantities are 

 found upon the coast of Fife. Perhaps, the 

 Author of the Pamphlet may be able to discover 

 some other cause which draws such shoals of fish 

 to the shores of Fife. But I think it not unfair to 

 conclude, even from these statements, that it is 

 only one common stock of fish which is found on 

 the shores and in the rivers. That, like the game, 

 even those who have any right to take it at all, can 

 only do so in a legal manner, not by permanent 

 nets or stakes, or any other snare or trap which 

 they may choose. What is there so peculiarly hard 

 in all this ? If they were prevented from using all the 

 other modes of fishing, by drag nets, &c. and such 

 as are used for taking the deep sea fish, they would 

 have some right to complain. But all these means 

 are in their power, and they will not be content 

 unless they are allowed a privilege which would 

 imply that they had a greater right and a larger 

 interest in the Salmon fisheries than the upper heri- 

 tors. 



In whatever way the interest of the proprietors 

 of the sea coast, and of the banks of lakes and 



