FISHERMEN AND FISHERIES. 281 



CHAPTER IV. 



THE form of modern Acts of Parliament, which go direct 

 to the point without giving the causes which lead to it, is a 

 desirable advance towards simplicity ; but in the cumbrous 

 preambles and tedious recitals of older legislation, the prin- 

 ciples which have fluctuated in influencing the relations of 

 the State with different classes of its subjects are often 

 found enshrined in a few explanatory words. In regard to 

 the fisheries certain fixed principles constantly recur; as 

 that sea fishing generally " is of most essential importance 

 to the wealth and naval strength of the kingdom ; " that 

 the fisheries must be encouraged as a " fruitful nursery of 

 able seamen for our ships of war ; " that the superiority of 

 certain of our fish having become acknowledged " in foreign 

 markets, the credit of our fisheries must be maintained 

 abroad ; " that diligence must be observed in details, as that 

 inferior officers appointed to supervise barrels and fish- 

 packing must themselves have been " skilful coopers," whilst 

 the staves of barrels must be at least " half an inch in thick- 

 ness ; " that our own methods should be improved when 

 necessary by the adoption of those of other fishing com- 

 munities, as that certain fish should be prepared " after the 

 manner of the Dutch fishermen ; " that in every way " the 

 wanton destruction of fish " to the diminution of " a na- 

 tional source of sustenance" is to be avoided ; that 

 fisheries must be protected, because their protection " is 

 expedient for the purpose of providing a cheap and whole- 

 some article of food for the support of the poor ; " that they 

 provide employment for a " large class of industrious poor ;" 

 and that, finally, they should receive " every reasonable 

 encouragement which it is in the power of Parliament to 



