OF A SALMON. 75 



that great hindrance to any cause, lukewarrnness ; 

 even among those who profess to wish ii well. 

 And this lukewarrnness springs, as ever, from 

 the usual source, ignorance ignorance of the 

 importance of the object, and ignorance of the 

 difficulties which lie in the way. If every man 

 who loves to see a salmon in the river, or cares to 

 see one on his tahle knew how many apparent im- 

 possibilities the fish had to encounter ere he could 

 possibly attain a reasonable size, there would be 

 many more than we can -boast of, who would 

 think it worth while to assist in doing away with 

 some of those impediments. But with regard to 

 the importance of the subject, inost men, are as 

 yet much as it has been canvassed entirely 

 blind. The land is racked on every side to 

 support fresh produce : science, art, invention 

 and experience, are alike taxed, to compel the 

 earth to yield double her increase ; and success- 

 fully. While the waters, full of prolific life, 

 and capable of sustaining and yielding a tenfold 

 amount, are utterly neglected ; neglected from 

 ignorance of their wealth ; neglected by the 

 selfishly culpable indifference of many who would 

 eagerly grasp at any means of direct profit, but 

 who hesitate to hold out a little finger towards a 

 work of public benefit however much it may 

 promise an indirect return ; and neglected again, 



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