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imperfection of the law, but to its too frequent infringement in 

 the almost total neglect of the observance of the close season, 

 and of protection to the breeding fish, and the fry.* But may 

 it not be reasonably argued that the constitution of the law is 

 the primary fault, if it permits such a distribution of the pro- 

 perty in Fish as will tend to create this negligence ? That 

 such apathy will not occur where there is adequate interest, is 

 known by the results in private fisheries. It needs a high sense 

 of duty, a transcendentalism of principle, to preserve an indis- 

 tinct species of property for the use of others, or for the pure 

 motive of serving the community. To create such a state of 

 public feeling is of the highest consequence ; but in its absence, 

 surer means for arriving at beneficial results should be given. 



In an endeavour of the present kind, to trace progress, it is 

 impossible to avoid repetition ; but time is not ill-bestowed in 

 laying before the public the process by which useful measures 

 have been framed and introduced. 



The absence of protection of the breeding fish, and of the 

 due enforcement of the provisions of the law, having occasioned 

 urgent demands for the organization of a system with a suitable 

 force, and it having been found that the constabulary and 

 coast guard could not assist as actively as was required, the 

 measure of Assessment to provide a fund for paying a suitable 

 fishery police, was again strongly advised ; and for this rea- 

 son, that " in Ireland, where so very large a proportion of the 

 Salmon Fisheries is public property, and of which the public 

 avail themselves by common law right, a sufficient amount of 

 interest is to be found vested in but few individuals, to justify 

 their incurring the whole expense of protection. Nor is there 



* PROTECTION As on the number of fish that deposit their spawn, the 



security with which the roe is preserved, and the fry protected in their descent 

 to the sea, will depend the 'Harvest of a Fishery,' care should be chiefly 

 directed to these points. 



The penalties enacted against breaches of the elose season in Scotland are 

 higher than for Ireland ; while, considering the incentives to the offence, they 

 require to be comparatively higher in this country, where the prevalence of 

 destitution often leads men to commit such breaches of the law as will provide 

 them lodging and food in a gaol. 



All reasonable measures that would secure a more efficient protection to Irish 

 Inland Fisheries, might be considered as effecting a saving of resources, and as 

 a check upon crime. 



In some cases of penalties, adding the gain of violating the law to the impro- 

 bability of detection, and the prospect of leniency on the part of the bench, 

 they do not appear to have been sufficient to deter offences. Nominal fines, or 

 imprisonment for a short time, are often imposed. 



The wild habits of the Irish peasantry in the unfrequented recesses of the 

 country incline them to the ' sport' of spearing. The lawlessness and excite- 

 ment of poaching enters into the passions of human nature. Sir Walter Scott 

 has described in ' Guy Mannering,' with his usual felicity, the exciting amuse- 

 ment of ' burning a river.' 



A conciliatory system on the part of all concerned will be generally found 

 the most beneficial means of conservation. 



