SIGNS OF FISH. 139 



calculated to interest and excite. But hanging for hours 

 above a spillet, or enduring the drudgery of lowering 

 and hauling in an almost interminable length of line 

 over the side of a motionless boat, is an abomination. 

 Like mud- shooting, this is only work for a peasant, and 

 should accordingly be excluded from the list of gentle- 

 manly pursuits, and consigned entirely to those with 

 whom fishing is a trade ; and profit, not pleasure, the 

 object of their piscatory occupations. He who has 

 experienced the glorious sensations of sailing on the 

 western ocean, a bright autumnal sky above, a deep green 

 lucid swell around, a steady breeze, and as much of it 

 as the hooker can stand up to, will estimate the exquisite 

 enjoyment our morning's mackerel-fishing afforded. 



In following the shoal we had crossed the bay, and 

 got under the Achil shore. Having made sail again, 

 we stretched over towards the Bull's Mouth, attracted 

 by an immense play of sea-fowl. It was nearly low 

 water, and while running past Innisbiggle, we observed 

 several seals basking on the rocks. One was so curiously 

 couched among the sea-weed as to render its species 

 a subject of doubt and discussion, until the close approach 

 of the boat obliged it to quit the rock, and thus afford 

 a distinct view while, to use the skipper's phrase, it 

 wabbled to the water. From the strange and undefined 

 ideas the seal's first appearance occasioned, accustomed 

 as we were to see the animal in its varied attitudes of 

 action or repose, it is not surprising that numerous and 

 ridiculous extravagances have had their origin in the 

 Phocse tribe being seen under accidental circumstances 

 by the wild and credulous peasantry of this remote 

 district, To these animals, the submarine beings, 

 who have for ages delighted the lovers of the marvellous, 



