Vll 



rities produced are conclusive in favour of the 

 public right contended for, and till its oppo- 

 nents "can rail those authorities from off 

 the public records, they '11 but offend their 

 lungs." 



But whatever may be the result of this pub- 

 lication, as to the increase or diminution of the 

 recreation of fishing, it must be attributed (to 

 say the least of it) to the intemperate zeal of 

 those who have hitherto called themselves 

 " Proprietors of private Fisheries in the River 

 Thames." If an increase of amusement should 

 take place, a good will arise out of an evil : if, 

 on the contrary, a diminution of it, they must 

 blame their own conduct in pushing matters 

 to such an extremity as to compel individuals 

 to ascertain their legal rights, and when ascer- 

 tained, must not be surprised if they are de- 

 termined to exercise them. 



I flatter myself it will clearly appear, that the 

 public at large are by law entitled to fish both 



