the Residence of certain Fishes. 225 



such a manner as to ensure the greatest possible permanent stock of 

 fish ; removing the superfluous produce, which would otherwise 

 be devoured or die, without injuring the future population, and 

 thus procuring a constant and regular supply in the season, with- 

 out the risk of exhaustion. 



In Germany, it is well known that the cultivation of carp and 

 other fresh-water fish is a regular object of attention ; and although 

 the proximity of the sea may cause us to treat with contempt the 

 painful efforts of our neighbours to do that for themselves which 

 nature has so bountifully done for us, it is assuredly not unworthy 

 the attention of the proprietors of inland counties in Britain, to at- 

 tempt to produce from them, either rent or profit. Under the pre- 

 sent system, the fresh waters of this country are of little use but 

 to furnish amusement to the sectaries of good Isaac Walton, and 

 occupation to those who create flies of which no entomologist ever 

 dreamed. Amusement would not be excluded by profit. If, too 

 it is said, as it well may be, that, as an, article of food, the 

 fresh-water fish are inferior to those of the sea, it must also be re- 

 membered that variety, no less than excellence, is one of the great 

 resources, as it is one of the main pursuits, of the noble science of 

 gastronomy. 



But, to be more serious, the quantity of fresh waters existing in 

 Britain is so considerable, as, with the exception of Switzerland, 

 to exceed those of any country in Europe. From these, no profit 

 whatever is derived. A Scottish lake, under a regular system of 

 fishing and care, might probably far exceed in value the miserable 

 tract of bog and rock by which it is enclosed. The canals of this 

 country occupy a respectable space, and might, like ponds, be 

 stored with fish, to the probable advantage of the proprietors no 

 less than of the community. Even the rivers are unproductive, 

 with the solitary exception of salmon, and of eels ; since the 

 quantity of other fresh-water fish brought to market is far too in- 

 significant to be an object of attention in a case like this where so 

 much more might be effected. 



The objection to fishing on canals is the injury which may be 

 done to the banks. That, if it really exists, would cease whenever 



