LEGISLATION NEEDED. 133 



be left to carry on the generative process in the only 

 waters where it can be pursued ; and therefore an un- 

 limited right to kill salmon at sea should not be per- 

 mitted. To comprehend the reasonableness of the out- 

 cry against the exercise of this right by means of fixed 

 engines, it must be borne in mind that until lately, and 

 this only in particular localities, such as the mouth of 

 the Tweed, stake and bag nets observed no close time, 

 and were thus permanent obstructions to the riverward 

 progress of the salmon. And when a mass of unim- 

 peachable evidence has demonstrated their injurious 

 effects on river-fishings, the impartial public must con- 

 clude that such modes of fishing should either be abol- 

 ished, as was at first proposed by the Lord Advocate's 

 bill, or carefully regulated, as the amended bill now pro- 

 poses. Legislation there must be, because, notwith- 

 standing the long and expensive litigations terminating 

 in decisions by the House of Lords, the practical result 

 is this, that salmon-fishing at sea by any mode, how- 

 ever destructive to the interests of the salmon-fisheries, 

 cannot be put down by the existing law. The Lord 

 Advocate having stated, before the Lords' Committee, 

 that " it is the law that any mode of fishing is legal in 

 the sea," the proprietors of river-fishings were wise not 

 to accept the challenge to put down stake-nets, if they 

 could, by an action at law. Their remedy is to be 

 sought for in legislation preceded by inquiry ; and it 

 will not be sought in vain. Already their interests are 

 essentially promoted by the kind of regulation which, it 

 is confessed, stake-nets require. The provisions of the 

 bill in regard to them, and all fixed engines for the 

 taking of salmon at sea, are undoubtedly in the right 

 direction. Whether, when the discussion before Par- 

 liament is renewed, the decision shall be in favour of 

 " regulation " or " abolition," is somewhat dubious. But 

 if the opinions of competent and impartial inquirers be 

 allowed due weight, the decision, after all, may be in 

 favour of abolition. We have not the slightest personal 



