332 AN ANGLER'S RAMBLES 



were they to be made acquainted in full with the hazards run by 

 their petted pondlings, at their entrance into the sea-world. 



As to the mischief wrought by the dog-fish, it chiefly discovers 

 itself in their attacks upon the haddock-lines and herring-nets ; 

 but there can be little doubt, judging from the position of their 

 encampments on our coast-line, that, in their turn, the migratory 

 fry of our rivers engage their attention to a large extent. I may 

 be wrong, but the impression holds with me that the fishermen 

 of our coasts don't exercise much judgment in their dealings with 

 this fish, and take little pains either of one sort or another to 

 keep it under. The occasion which led to this impression is cer- 

 tainly not very recent ; but I am tempted to relate it, as it bears 

 upon an expedient which, I think, if adopted, might assist to 

 keep in check the increase of this marauder. I happened to be 

 out all night with the herring-fleet belonging to Eyemouth, and 

 having no idea of being a mere spectator of its operations, had 

 provided myself with a stout hand-line, in the prospect of hauling 

 up a few cod or skate during the intervals set apart for the drift- 

 ing of the net. A more inviting evening could scarcely have 

 been selected. The sea itself was in such phosphorescent state, 

 so full of living splendour, that no poetical description I ever 

 happened on could do justice to it. Our progress to the fishing- 

 ground, which lay five or six miles from the coast, was managed 

 under sail, with the exception of a mile or two at start ; but it 

 was ploughing through silver the whole course. 



On arriving at the spot, after the nets were dropped, and the 

 drift-rope connecting them made fast to the bow of the boat, my 

 hand-line was brought into requisition, temptingly set off with 

 morsels of fresh-herring a more acceptable bait than the sand- 

 launce, the lug-worm, or even the mussel, to large fish. The hooks 

 made use of were busked on black horse-hair snoods, loosely 

 twisted, and of considerable strength. A cross-bar of iron wire, 

 with plummet appended, assisted to separate and steady them 



