the very highest condition, and is scarcely inferior 

 to any fish. But as he approaches the shores, thus 

 quitting his proper feeding grounds, he takes to 

 other and coarser food ; his condition alters, and 

 his flesh becomes soft and tasteless, the stomach 

 and intestines are found loaded with putrescent 

 remains, and the fish is bad and unwholesome. 

 It is thus that the ill-conditioned herrings caught 

 upon the British shores, however carefully pre- 

 pared, can never enter into competition with the 

 products of the Dutch deep-sea fisheries. An 

 extensive knowledge of a strictly scientific nature 

 can alone improve this article of commerce ; and 

 until laws are formed upon such a basis, rather 

 than on the evidence of men, prejudiced in favour 

 of their own opinions, and biased by their all 

 engrossing and selfish interests, we must be con- 

 tented to allow to our Dutch brethren the advan- 

 tages over us which they have obtained. 



