502 HISTOHY OF 



};iii to improve, and grow gradually bitter till May, when tlify 

 are in the highest perfection. 



It is chiefly during the winter season that our fishermen take 

 them ; but the Dutch, who are indefatigable, begin their opera- 

 tions earlier, and fish with better success than we. The method 

 practised by the fishermen of Scarborough is thought to be the 

 best among the English ; and, as Mr Pennant has given a very 

 succinct account of it, I will take leave to present it to thu 

 reader. 



" When they go out to fish, each person is provided with three; 

 lines : each man's lines are fairly coiled upon a flat oblong piece 

 of wicker-work ; the hooks being baited and placed very regularly 

 in the centre of the coil. Each line is furnished with two hun- 

 dred and eighty hooks, at the distance of six feet two inches froir 

 each other. The hooks are fastened to lines of twisted horse 

 hair, twenty-seven inches in length. 



" When fishing, there are always three men in each coble ; and 

 consequently nine of these lines are fastened together, and used 

 as one line, extending in length near three miles, and furnished 

 with above two thousand five hundred hooks. An anchor and 

 a buoy are fixed at the first end of the line, and one more at each 

 end of each man's lines ; in all, four anchors, and four buoys 

 made of leather or cork. The line is always laid across the cur- 

 rent. The tides of flood and ebb continue an equal time upon 

 our coast; and, when undisturbed by winds, run each way about 

 six hours. They are so rapid that the fishermen can only shoot 

 and haul their lines at the turn of the tide ; and therefore the 

 lines always remain upon the ground about six hours. The same 

 rapidity of tide prevents their using hand lines ; and, therefore, two 

 of the people commonly wrap themselves in the sail and sleep, 

 while the other keeps a strict look-out, for fear of being rup 

 •'own by ships, and to observe the weather ; for storms often 

 ise so suddenly, that it is sometimes with extreme difficulty 

 they escape to the shore, though they leave their lines behind 

 them. 



" The coble is twenty feet six inches long, and five feet ex- 

 treme breadth. It is about one ton burden, rowed with three 

 pair of oars, and admirably constructed for the purpose of en- 

 countering a mountainous sea. They hoist sail when the wind 

 suits. 



