38 THE ADVENTURES 



only to the laws of the country, as regards the 

 taking of salmon in certain seasons, with nets of 

 a certain construction. 



By an act passed in the reign of George I. 

 for the better preservation of the salmon through- 

 out the kingdom, the Dee was thought of sufficient 

 importance to be among the number of those 

 rivers mentioned by name, to which the act was 

 intended specially to apply. A few years ago 

 the provisions of this act, and of others subse- 

 quently passed, had been so infringed, and the 

 salmon illegally destroyed to such an extent, that 

 an association was formed at Chester to enforce 

 the law, and make such improvements in the 

 river as might enable the fish more easily to 

 ascend and breed in their favourite haunts. An 

 increasing abundance of fish within the space of 

 two years gave testimony to the value of this 

 association ; and even the fishermen, who at first 

 bitterly opposed its operations, acknowledged its 

 utility, and lent their aid to its furtherance. Un- 

 fortunately, jealousies arose from various causes, 

 and the association having exceeded its means, 

 and crippled by want of unanimity, was, after 

 having been long principally supported by the 

 energy and exertions of the individual who origi- 

 nated it, obliged to be broken up, 



The association was re-organised in 1 852 ; its 



