I 



57 



(3.) Besides, even in a national point of view, the exten- 

 sion of the salmon fishery is an object of no small import- 

 ance. The general prosperity of the country is mainly de- 

 pendent on the prosperity of all the various classes of 

 individuals composing its population. Here, then, is a 

 vast additional source of private revenue opened up 

 An extensive line of coast, which yields no return what- 

 ever, holds out a promise of riches at present incapable 

 of calculation. Nor is it the mere proprietors of the 

 coast, and those directly employed at the fishery, who will 

 be benefited. Employment, and, of course,~a correspondent 

 remuneration in the shape of wages, will spread on all 

 sides. A new impetus to exertion will be given, in districts 

 where, at present, all is inactivity and silence. Villages will 

 rise up along the shores, still further to disseminate the 

 progress of amelioration. And what, in a maritime State 

 such as this, may perhaps, to the eye of the statesman, ap- 

 pear still more important, the new mode of fishing will add 

 both to the resources and strength of the country, by rear- 

 ing a race of hardy and indefatigable seamen, and giving 

 employment to a very great additional tonnage of shipping, 

 which would otherwise never have existed. 



After what has been said, it is presumed no one can en- 

 tertain a doubt, that there is much to be amended and al- 

 tered in the existing laws, on the subject of the salmon 

 fishery of Scotland. That the present regulations as to the 

 close and fishing seasons, must be totally new-modelled, 

 seems, indeed, a point disputed by none. But the im- 

 portant change to be effected, is a repeal of those absurd 

 and impolitic enactments of a rude age, which hang 

 like a dead weight on the spirit of improvement, and pro- 





