COMMERCIAL VALUE OF FISH. 269 



The fisheries of the British Islands, and the men 

 engaged therein, require the constant attention of the 

 Government. Considering the value of fish as an 

 article of food, the supply immense, the source inex- 

 haustible, its positive worth, " an amount of human 

 food equal to little less than a million of money drawn 

 forth annually from the waters," obtained at moderate 

 cost, giving employment to thousands of adventurous, 

 hard-working, honest men, who are most serviceable 

 members of the community either in peace or war ; 

 hence our obvious advantage as islanders in promoting 

 that occupation which is the nursery of seamen, the 

 willing, able, and powerful agents of our commerce 

 and our defence. 



" It is gratifying to be able to state, in conclusion, 

 that within these two years no fewer than twenty- 

 seven Sailors' Homes have been established in the 

 United Kingdom." Spectator, 10th of September, 1853, 

 p. 867. 



