OBSERVATIONS, &c. 



In the lakes, rivers, and seas of Great Britain and her 

 dependent islands, there abounds a rich and choice va- 

 riety of fish ; and the situation of the country, the habits 

 of the people, and the nature of the coasts, are peculiarly 

 favourable for carrying on the fisheries. 



Accordingly, the fisheries have at all times been con- 

 sidered, not merely as an important source of individual 

 wealth ; but even as of much national importance. Great 

 efforts have been made to foster and protect the Herring 

 and White fisheries, more particularly, by bounties, and 

 exemptions from duties, in short, by a continual watch 

 over their interest. 



But there is one national fishery, that of the Salmon, 

 which, though once, perhaps, in greater favour with the 

 Legislature than any other, has latterly been altogether 

 neglected : while the antequated enactments of a rude age, 

 intended to give it support, unfortunately remain in force, 

 only to injure and depress its best interests. 



It will be the object of what follows, to direct public 

 attention to the importance of the Salmon Fishery in 

 Scotland, leaving the fisheries of England and Ireland to 

 those better acquainted with them, and to point out the 

 necessity of a legislative inquiry, preparatory to an amend- 

 ment of the laws by which that fishery is regulated. 



