HISTORY OF THE 



(Iridions, an obligatory claufe, whereby the bufTes 

 were prohibited from purchafing herrings from the 

 natives, and thus the poor people, who had formerly 

 affifted in completing the cargoes of fuch veflels 

 as came amongft them, now faw themfelves deprived 

 of the advantages which local fituation, and the vifi- 

 tations of the herrings upon their fhores, held forth. 

 Thefe gifts of Providence were counteracted by a 

 narrow, ill-judged -decree of their country, and 

 fliows, amongft a thoufand inftances, the imper- 

 fection of human wifdom, when put in competition 

 with the great line of action which diftinguifhes the 

 works of the Deity. 



As the raifing and training a number of feamen 

 was a principal object of the legiflative bounties, it 

 was deemed expedient to oblige the men to remain 

 a certain time on the. fiftiing grounds, and to load 

 with the herrings taken by themfelves only. . 



It is fomewhat fmgular, that a nation celebrated 

 for knowledge in maritime affairs, did not fee the 

 ijiefficacy of this reftriction. 



When the men quit their buMes and go on board 

 their long boats, to throw out the nets, and to haul 

 them in, alternately, no feamanfhip is required; 

 no knowledge is gained. It is the drudgery of com- 

 mon labourers, and requires no qualification what- 

 ever. The iearnanfhip confifts in navigating to and 

 from the fifhing grounds ; in refearches after the 

 herrings ; in adjufting the fails to the various points- 

 of the compafs, and to all the viciflitudes of weather. 



In the mean time, the poor natives, thus deprived 

 of their natural right, and without redrefs, ftill kept 

 up a petty fifhery for the fupply of their families and 

 the neighbourhood, in freih .herrings, having no 

 means of curing for a diftant market. 



Their little open boats are clinker built, fharp 

 bottomed, and formed upon the conitruclion of cut- 

 ters, for quick failing, for doubling head lands, 

 and eluding dangers, Manned by a hardy race of 



Highlanders 



