FISH, THE PEOPLE OF THE SEA 



humblest fish. Man is conscious of how different 

 they are to himself, and seldom thinks of the 

 things he has in common with them or any 

 other creature. We are, perhaps, rather primi- 

 tive souls still. A new shape or sound terrifies 

 until we become accustomed to it and know it to 

 be harmless. Yet in what contempt man holds 

 his former antagonist and quarry! The genius 



of mankind, common property in the rod or gun, 

 is a means which few animals succeed in outwit- 

 ting altogether, though they do as well, perhaps, 

 as the individual human, were it necessary for 

 him to invent his weapon anew each time. If 

 mackerel are easily caught, it is also not hard to 

 delude the half-witted people of our city slums, 

 while there are lawyers fully as hard to catch 



35 



