CHAP, x.] GROWTH OF A FISHING VILLAGE. 419 



in search of seaside sensations could scarcely do better than 

 take a tour among the Scottish fisher-folks, in order to view 

 the wonders of the fishing season, its curious industry, and the 

 quaint people. 



There are scenes on the coast worthy of any sketch-book ; 

 there are also curious seaside resorts that have not yet been 

 vulgarised by hordes of summer visitors infant fishing 

 villages, set down by accident in the most romantic spots, 

 occupied by hardy men and rosy women, who have children 

 " paidling " in the water or building castles upon the sand. 

 Such seascapes for they look more like pictures than realities 

 may be witnessed from the deck of the steamboat on the 

 way to Inverness or Ultima Thule. Looking from the steamer 

 if one cannot see the coast in any other way at one of 

 these embyro communities, one may readily guess, from the fond 

 attitude of the youthful pair who are leaning on the old boat, 

 that another cottage will speedily require to be added to the 

 two now existing. In a few years there will be another ; in 

 course of time the four may be eight, the eight sixteen ; and 

 lo ! in a generation there is built a large village, with its 

 adult population gaining wealth by mining in the silvery 

 quarries of the sea ; and by and by we will see with a pleased 

 eye groups of youngsters splashing in the water or gathering 

 seaware on the shore, and old men pottering about the rocks 

 setting lobster -pots, doing business in the crustaceous deli- 

 cacies of the season. And on glorious afternoons, when the 

 atmosphere is pure, and the briny perfume delicious to inhale 

 when the water glances merrily in the sunlight, and the 

 sails of the dancing boats are just filled by a capful of wind 

 the people will be out to view the scene and note the growing 

 industry of the place ; and, as the old song says 



" weel may the boatie row, 



And better may she speed ; 

 And muckle luck attend the boat 

 That wins the bairnies' bread," 



