290 FISHES AND FISHING. 



ties were increased to £3, and £2 upon any house- 

 holder who was cognizant of the offence, if he did not 

 inform against the offender. A nobleman might eat 

 meat whenever he pleased, if he paid £1 6s. 8c?. per 

 year. A knight might do so for ISs. 4d., and a com- 

 moner, 65. 8c?. The money was paid into the parish 

 poor-box, under control of the Priesthood. 



Fish of various species could very profitably be 

 bred in ponds in the inland parts of this country, 

 independently of the supply from the sea, and it 

 would be the means of giving nutriment to many 

 families, if the breeding of fish were more encouraged. 

 Eels, for instance, are extremely prolific, and would 

 afford to those who bred them for sale, a most ample 

 return, whilst the outlay would be trifling ; they are 

 very nourishing, and persons who feed much on them, 

 as is the case, Mr. Dickens says, of the inhabitants 

 around Lake Como, who are robust and long-lived ; 

 whilst sickly neighbours resort to the same locality, 

 and find restoration of their health, through partaking 

 of the same food. 



From the same author, in " Household Words," 

 vol. iii. p. 423, we learn the following was a gentle- 

 man's directions for a Saturday's dinner, in the seven- 

 teenth year of the reign of Harry the Eighth. 



** First, leich brayne. Item, frommetye pottage. 

 Item, whole ling. Item, great jowls of salt sammon. 



