A Defense of Fishermen 



ternity, have so effectively given the 

 lie to these revilers of an honest 

 and conscientious brotherhood that a 

 large majority have been glad to find 

 refuge in ignominious silence. 



Notwithstanding this, weak, piping 

 voices are still occasionally heard ac- 

 cusing fishermen of certain shortcom- 

 ings and faults. These are so unsub- 

 stantial and unimportant that, as 

 against the high place in the world's 

 esteem claimed by those who love to 

 fish, they might well be regarded as 

 non-essentials, or, in a phrase of the 

 day, as mere matters of detail. But, 

 although it may be true that these 

 charges are on the merits unworthy 

 of notice, it cannot be expected that 

 fishermen, proud of the name, will 

 be amiably willing to permit those 



22 



