162 A RIVER OF NORWAY 



in the nets, and so great local influence attaches 

 to their owners, that bribery and intimidation 

 can hardly be unknown. The Norwegian is, 

 in small things, a very honest man. There 

 seems, in the country at least, to be no petty 

 thieving, and we get into the habit of leav- 

 ing our possessions about in very careless 

 fashion. But in matters of business he is very 

 " slim," and the capture, in unlawful hours, 

 of salmon which do not belong to any one in 

 particular, will hardly appear to him a dishonest 

 act. The opinion of his fellows will be for, 

 rather than against, him ; at least, so I judge 

 from the general tone of references to the 

 subject. 



Perhaps it may come to be considered worth 

 while for a combination of owners and les- 

 sees of river fisheries to maintain an inde- 

 pendent staff of inspectors, provided with steam 

 launches, and to undertake prosecutions. If 

 the Anglo-Norwegian Fishermen's Association 

 wishes to justify its existence, it might give 

 its attention to the matter. I understand 

 that the authorities raise no objection to such 

 private inspection ; that, indeed, they are will- 



