108 



many persons in waiting solicitous of the honor. No 

 gentlemen is placed on the probation roll, until a majori- 

 ty of at least eight members present signify approval. 

 In this situation of apprenticeship to the art trade and 

 mystery of becoming a worthy, expert, and useful citi- 

 zen of the fishing commonwealth, he remains for six 

 months at least, and frequently much longer, for strict 

 trial and just approval. In order to be duly admitted to 

 all the rights and immunities of full citizenship, a majori- 

 ty of the votes of the whole State must appear in his 

 favor. He is then qualified and admitted according to 

 ancient form, the secret mystical ceremonies of which are 

 alarmingly interesting, although not of the masonic charac- 

 ter; and therefore it is to be hoped, unembraced by the 

 rife denouncing spirit of the times. 



The stated days during the fishing season, are on each 

 Thursday fortnight, between the first day of May and the 

 first Wednesday in October, and from time to time is 

 changed by the Governor and Council, on account of ad- 

 verse tides. Every member who purposes making one of 

 the company at the Castle, repairs to the Governor's 

 quarters, before the hour of eighty on the previous eve- 

 nings and records his name and that of a friend if he 

 pleases, on a slate, for the due information and regulation 

 of the Purveyor or Caterer of the day, which important 

 duty is alternately performed by every member. He ob- 

 tains the list of his company, the keys, &c. and provides 

 accordingly, frugally and abundantly, and all catered for 



