HERRING FISHING. 277 



were removed from the meshes, and deposited in the boats 

 Some of the nets were particularly fortunate, obliging their 

 proprietors to frequently relieve them of the fish ; while 

 others, though apparently stretched within a few yards, and 

 consequently in the immediate run of the herrings, were 

 favoured but with a few stragglers ; and the indolent fisherman 

 had to occupy himself with a sorrowful ditty, or in moody 

 silence watched the dark sea " like some dull ghost waiting on 

 Styx for waftage." 



Our visit appeared highly satisfactory, for the ceade feal- 

 teagh, with a lament for " ould Antony," was universal, 

 while every boat tossed herrings on board, until we were 

 obliged to refuse further largess, and these many " trifles of 

 fish" accumulated so rapidly, that we eventually declined 

 receiving further compliments, or we might have loaded the 

 gig gunnel deep. 



The darkness of the night increased the scaly brilliancy 

 which the phosphoric properties of these beautiful fish pro- 

 duce. The bottom of the boat, now covered with some 

 thousand herrings, glowed with a living light, which the 

 imagination could not create, and the pencil never imitate. 

 The shades of gold and silvery gems were rich beyond 

 description ; and much as I had heard of phosphoric splen- 

 dour before, every idea I had formed fell infinitely short of 

 its reality. 



The same care with which we entered disembarrassed us 

 of the midnight fishing : every boat we passed pressed hard 

 to throw in a " cast of skuddawns* for the strange gentleman," 

 meaning me ; and such was the kindness of these hospitable 

 creatures, that had I been a very Behemoth I should have 

 this night feasted to satiety on their bounty. 



The wind, which had been asleep, began now to sigh over 

 the surface, and before we had cleared the outer back-ropes, 

 the sea-breeze came curling " the midnight wave." The 

 tide was flowing fast, and having stepped the mast, we spread 

 our large lug, and the light galley slipped speedily ashore. 

 A fire which I had noticed above the Lodge kindling gradually, 

 fanned by the rising night-breeze, sprang; at once into a 

 glorious flame ; and through the darkness its intense light 



* Anglice, Herrings. 



