94 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



signs are not awanting that the limit has been 

 well-nigh reached. 



Picturesque ways of fishing must give place to 

 other, and more efficient ones; just as the picturesque 

 shearer gave place to the reaping machine, and the 

 picturesque stage-coach to the railway train. No 

 doubt the villagers, whom the six weeks' harvest 

 enabled to lay in a little money against the winter ; 

 and the Jehus who were deposed from the box, 

 called out in their turn. Grant that so many sons, 

 and grandsons of fishermen may continue in the 

 occupation of their fathers as to protect the three- 

 mile margin, if only for the sake of the amenity of 

 our coast. But that seems almost past praying for. 



Perhaps, the world will lose as much as it gains. 

 Nothing will ever charm us like the fishing-boats, 

 with their brown sails swelling in the breeze, or 

 rocking idly off the harbour in the morning, or 

 evening twilight, waiting for the flow of the tide. 

 The fish will never look so silvery, or seem so fresh 

 again. But we can only sigh ; we may not oppose. 

 We live in an utilitarian age. Henceforward man 

 shall live by bread alone. 



