xxxvi i i Introduction. 



established within the precincts of the building, to which the great salesmen 

 of our principal ports will send their wares direct. Arrangements, too, have 

 been made for the supply of cheap fish dinners, under the able and experienced 

 direction of Mrs. Clarke, the Lady Superintendent of the National School of 

 Cookery, while lectures upon the treatment of fish will be given daily by an 

 experienced instructress. 



The sentiments animating the promoters will best be illustrated by certain 

 words spoken by the Prince of Wales at the inaugural banquet at Norwich. 

 " It is particularly gratifying," said His Eoyal Highness, " to see that at last 

 an interest is being taken not only in our fisheries, but in our fishermen, 

 whose lives are so frequently exposed to risk through the severity of weather 

 and the dangerous character .of the Eastern coast. Among a very interesting 

 display of specimens, I especially observed the apparatus for saving life, and 

 a variety of models of life-boats, which cannot fail to bring before the public 

 generally their duty in regard to the protection of the fishing interests of our 

 country. Whilst thinking over the probable results that may attend this 

 Exhibition, I could not fail to reflect upon the labour it has cost more minds 

 than one ; and I do trust, having regard to the importance of our national 

 fishing interest, and the value of our fishermen's lives, that a sort of National 

 Society may be instituted which will maintain those who are unfortunately in 

 want, and help to assuage the grief and misery of the widows and orphans of 

 those who perish at sea. I believe it is only necessary to throw out the hint 

 to see established in this country a National Fishermen's Aid Society, which 

 shall command the support not only of those living upon the line of our 

 fishing coast here, but of all concerned in fishery throughout our dominions." 



In these pregnant sentences, well befitting the Heir oi (he British Crown, 

 are contained the whole force and design of the great Fisheries Exhibition, 

 not merely as presented at Norwich, but as developed in its International form 

 in the present Exhibition at South Kensington. To this end the Exhibits, the 

 Prizes, the Conferences, the Handbooks, the Market, the Cookery, the Dinners, 

 the Lectures, are all, in a systematic and carefully elaborated plan, har- 

 moniously directed. It is much to defend the natural wealth of our rivers and 

 seas from the rapacity of greed and the recklessness of pollution ; to provide 

 improved harbour accommodation, and greater facilities for transport and com 

 merce ; to render the meals of the million more palatable, more wholesome, 

 and, at the same time, more economical. But all these things sink into 

 insignificance when compared with the safe-guarding of our fishermen's lives 

 and the improvement of our fishermen's homes. These are objects in which 

 all nations can cordially co-operate because all mankind is interested in the 

 result; and in noway can our island kingdom more gracefully or beneficially 

 exercise the historic preeminence conceded to her upon the seas than by 

 promoting these interests in connection with such an enterprise as that of the 

 International Fisheries Exhibition. 



7 May, 1883. 



