HERRING FISHERY. 23 



dear, rather than that of commerce. They 

 alledged, that fhotten herrings were un whole- 

 fome and caufed difeafes. But there is no 

 foundation for this aflertion, although we fhall rea- 

 dily grant, that they are not as pleafing food as 

 full herrings. 



And as to the third plea, viz. that the fifhing 

 for herrings after December was definitive of the 

 fpecies, it was a very nugatory one, not only be r 

 caufe the quantity of herrings, that the fifhermen 

 can take, is a mere trifle compared with the im- 

 menfe quantities of them, that are deflroyed by 

 multitudes of fifh a that feed upon them, but alfo be- 

 caufe, were the multiplication of the fpecies to 

 be confidered, it would be much more proper to 

 prohibit the fiihing for full herrings. 



The only plaufible reafon for making the above- 

 mentioned regulations was, that, as Qiotten her- 

 rings are not as good as full ones when faked, it 

 was to be apprehended, that, if the taking and 

 falting them were allowed, it would bring all the 

 faked herrings of the channel into difrepute, which 

 would be very hurtful to trade,. But ftill it is 

 hard,that the poor fhould be deprived of an ar- 

 ticle of food, which could be procured very 

 cheap. 



The fifliermen of Dieppe having reprefented, 

 that herrings were abfolutely neceffary for baiting 

 their hooks, have obtained leave to fiih for them 

 with a few fmall boats, under condition of cutting 



off 



