143 



erudite book on Cookery, mentions the circumstance of the London 

 market having been latterly well supplied with red mullet, the wood- 

 cock of the finny tribe, in consequence of a curious discovery of a 

 naturalist in the west of England. A better success in fishing on one 

 part of the Irish coast was stated to the Commission of 1836 as attri- 

 butable to the fishermen having been taught by the coast guard to use 

 hooks instead of thorns at the end of their lines. 



If it were needful, much evidence might be brought forward to show 

 the advantages that would accrue from a system of practical education 

 for the coast population. The services of the coast guard might, per- 

 haps, be brought in for the purpose. 



Example is often a better teacher than precept. The Deep Sea fish- 

 ing has been greatly advanced in some places by the employment of 

 Englishmen as masters of the boats. This, however, as a matter of 

 private arrangement, need only be alluded to, the present object being 

 chiefly to inquire into matters in which it may seem reasonable to 

 expect the assistance of Government. 



It will be seen by reference to the Report of the Select Committee 

 of 1838, on Education in Ireland, that the voluntary system for the 

 support or extension of education has been tried to a great extent, and 

 for a long period, and has failed. The conclusions of the committee 

 as to the need of extended and organized institutions for Public 

 Education and Instruction are now even more worthy of consideration 

 at the present time^ than at the time their admirable Report was 

 drawn up. 



It may not be thought foreign to the present subject to venture the 

 following suggestion: Some difficulty is presented by the question 

 as to the disposal of persons convicted of crime, or under sentence of 

 transportation. To keep them in a certain state of confinement, and 

 yet employ their labour to advantage, forms another difficulty. That 

 which it is most desirable to solve is relative to the best mode of treat- 

 ing such persons, so as to render them fit to return to society as good 

 members. It might be practicable to appropriate some of the smaller 

 islands that surround our shores for these purposes. Some of the least 

 criminal would be sufficiently prevented from escape by the insularity 

 of their prison. An island of any extent would afford means of out- 

 door occupation, while some trades analogous to their circumstances 

 might be taught or practised. For example, if an extensive Fishery 

 existed, the manufacture of nets, and the making or repair of boats 

 might be carried on. 



