HERRING FISHERIES. 183 



rently anfwer the objeftion of money, and caft it 

 upon the fluggifhnefs and ill-difpofition of our peo- 

 ple, who if they will take away the caufc of this im- 

 putation, they lhall take away the offence due to it, 

 and by which we are fcandalized. 



" In the objection of lack of money to fet on foot 

 this work, it would feem ridiculous to ftrangers that 

 behold the wealth and glory of this kingdom, with 

 the fumptuous buildings, the coftly iniide' of houfes, 

 the mafs of plate to deck them, the daily hofpitality 

 and number of fervants to honour their matters, and 

 their charitable alms diftributed out of their fuper- 

 fluities. And to deicend to people in particular, if 

 they behold the bravery of apparel vainly fpent, the 

 rich and curious jewels to adorn their bodies, and 

 the needlefs expences yearly wafted, they would con- 

 clude, that it was not want, but will, that muft be 

 our impediment. " 



After enumerating the various natural productions 

 raifed in England favourable to the fisheries, Sir 

 William enforces his favourite theme, by fundry 

 nautical remarks, all of them proving, beyond a 

 doubt, the fuperior advantages which the natives 

 enjoy from their local fituation ; and the riches 

 yet in ftore, from this inexhauftible Iburce, to all 

 Britifh fubjecls, who fhall fearch after them. 



" All the fhoals (fays an anonymous author), ap- 

 pointed by the immutable decree to pofiefs the 

 tirths and bays on the eaft (hereof Britain, come into 

 the German fea by the eait fide of Shetland, and that 

 not many leagues from the fhore ; as thofe appointed 

 to ipawn on our north and weft bays of Scotland, 

 which are much the greater numbers, fwim by the 

 weft fide of it. 



" But thele natives of our Scots bays in the Ger- 

 man fea fwim clofe by the fhore, which is the reafon 

 they cannot efcape, and are fo broken that they never 

 come in confirmed fhoals, or great bodies, to their 

 fpawning beds, any year the Dutch can conftantly 



M 4 keep 



