PREFACE. v 



fifhermen for pilots to the ihips of wax- 

 going to the North. 



In the marine department of France, 

 there are alfo hydrographers, raifed and 

 paid by government, to teach the theory 

 of Navigation to pupils, who, after an ex- 

 amination, and on the atteftation of the 

 hydrographer, are received pilots on board 

 mips of war. Thefe fchools are of the 

 greateft ufe, particularly to form pilots, 

 who can take the height of the poles. 

 Thefe are employed in long voyages. 

 Some principles of navigation are alfo 

 ufeful to coafting-pilots ; but it is the 

 practice of fifhing, which gives to thefe 

 laft a perfedt knowledge of the bottoms, 

 depths of water, and currents. 



The beft regulations made by the wifeft 

 legiflatures, for the protection of young 

 fifh, have been ineffectual : for example, if 

 nets are ordered to be made with mames of 

 certain dimenfions, (that young fifh may 

 efcape) the fifherman knows, that by in- 

 creafing the weight at the bottom of the 

 net, and preffing the boat with a little 



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