HERRING FISHERIES. 



pf fjih ; for true it is, that there is no commodity in 

 the world of ib great bulk and fmall value, or that 

 can fet fo many fhips of burthen to work. 



cc The principal work I am at, is how to under- 

 take the Hollanders with our own weapons, and how 

 to equal them with pinks, bufles, and other vefTels, 

 till we be made partners with them in the fifhing : 

 not out of envy to their labours ; or to revenge dif- 

 courtefies : only we will feek to do what nature 

 dictates, viz. to enjoy and make ufe of our own, by 

 the countenance of our blefied king, that in jufticc 

 gives all people their right and due. 



cc I prefent you not with toys to pleafe children, 

 or withiliadows of untruths ; for I know truth to be 

 fo noble of itfelf, that it makes him honourable that 

 pronounces it; and that an honed man will rather 

 bear witnefs againfl fricndfhip than truth. I have 

 made it appear with what facility the Hollanders 

 go through with the golden mine of theirs, which they 

 fo term in their proclamation extant : I make proof 

 that their bufles and pinks are built to take filh > that 

 they fill themfelves thrice a fummer with fifh ; that 

 this fifh is vended and efteemed as a precious food 

 in all the parts of Europe; and that the return there- 

 of gives them means to live and breathe ; without 

 which they could not. 



" It is manifeft that fifh has brought them to a 

 great ftrength both by land and fea, and fame withal, 

 in maintaining their inteftine war againft fo great and 

 potent an enemy as the king of Spain. 



<c And if all thefe benefits appear in them, and no- 

 thing but fhame and fcorn in us, let us enter into the 

 caufe thereof and leek to amend it ; let us labour to 

 follow their example, which is better than a fchool- 

 m after to teach us. Nothing is our bane but idle- 

 nefs, which ingenders ignorance, and ignorance error; 

 all which we may be taxed with; for to a flothful 

 man nothing is fo eafy, but it will prove difficult, if 

 it be not done willingly. 



M 3 IC There 



