CHAP, ii.] THE DUTCH versus THE SCOTCH. 51 



encouragement is decreed to the fisheries. Charles II. aided 

 the advancement of this industrial pursuit by appointing a 

 Eoyal Council of Fishery, in order to the establishment of 

 proper laws and regulations for the encouragement of those 

 engaged in this branch of our commerce. 



After this period the British trade in fish and the knowledge 

 of the arts of capture expanded rapidly. It is said, as I have 

 already stated, that during our early pursuit of the fishery the 

 Dutch learned much from us, and that, in fact, while we were 

 away founding the Greenland whale-fishery, the people of 

 Holland came upon our seas and robbed us of our fish, and so 

 obtained a supremacy in the art that lasted for many years. 

 At any rate, whatever the Dutch accomplished, we were par- 

 ticularly industrious in fishing. Our seas were covered with 

 busses of considerable tonnage the average being vessels of 

 fifty tons, with a complement of fourteen men and a master. 

 The mode of fishing then was to sail with the ship into the 

 deep sea, and then, leaving the vessel as a rendezvous, take to 

 the small boats, and fish with them, returning to the large 

 vessel to carry on the cure. The same mode of fishing, with 

 slight modifications, is still pursued at Yarmouth and some 

 other places in England. 



The following note of the cost of building and sailing one 

 of the old Scottish herring-busses will illustrate the fishery of 

 the last century : 



Expenses of a Vessel of 60 Tons Burden fitted out for the 

 Herring-Fishery. 



To shipbuilder's account for hull - 345 



To joiners' account 21 10 



To blockmaker's account (paint, etc.) 18 



To rope-work account (sails, etc.) - 160 



To smith's account (anchors, etc.) - 22 10 



To spars, 3 fishing-boats, compasses, etc. - 56 



Cost of Vessel (forward) 623 



