THE SCOTCH EAST COAST HERRING 

 FISHING. 



FISHERMEN NUMBERS EMPLOYED HABITS AND 

 SOCIAL CONDITION QUALITIES AND CHARACTER- 

 ISTICSWEALTH. 



THE number of fishermen actively employed in the herring 

 fishings during the seasons, from Northumberland to, and 

 including, Wick, and at Orkney and Shetland, and Lewis 

 and Barra in the Hebrides, can be safely estimated at over 

 45,000 men and boys. 



The habits of fishermen are distinctly discernible as 

 pertaining to a broad sectarianism. Individually, their 

 idea of bodily comfort consists in having on a superabun- 

 dance of clothes. Even during the warm months of July 

 and August, whilst working hard in hoisting their catch to 

 the carts on the quay, it is ridiculous the amount of 

 clothing they have on them. The great beads of sweat 

 pouring down their faces and bodies, and the ofttimes 

 visible steaming therefrom, does not convince them that 

 they are overclad. 'Tis a pity they do not regulate their 

 dress in accordance with the weather, as it is obvious that 

 over-burdening one's self with clothing is unhealthy, and 

 weakening to the body, especially during warm weather. 

 What a contrast to the French fishermen ; they having a 



