240 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



the fisheries ought to be taken subject to this 

 kind of toll or imaginary grievance. 



I have always felt extremely disgusted at what 

 is called preserved waters (except fish ponds); 

 that is, where the fish in these waters are 

 claimed exclusively as private property. The 

 disposition which sets up claims of this kind is 

 the same as would if it could sell the sea, and 

 the use of the sun and the rain. Here the angler 

 is debarred by the surly, selfish owner of the 

 adjoining land, the pleasure of enjoying the most 

 healthful and comparatively the most innocent of 

 all diversions. It unbends the minds of the 

 sedentary and the studious, whether it may be 

 those employed at their desks, or "the pale 

 artist plying his sickly trade," and enables such 

 to return to their avocations, or their studies, 

 with renovated energy, to labour for their own 

 or for the public good. But as any thing, 

 however good in itself, may be abused, therefore 

 some regulations should be laid down as a guide 

 to the fair angler in this his legitimate right, 

 and some check imposed upon the poacher, who 

 might be inclined to stop at nothing, however 

 unfair. I think Waltonian societies would be 

 all-sufficient to manage these matters, if composed 

 of men of good character and good sense. There 

 ought to be one of these societies established in 

 the principal town in each district, and to have 

 its honorary members branched out into the 

 more distant parts. Perhaps a fine imposed, or 

 even the frowns of the society, might be 

 sufficient to deter poachers. The object ought 

 to be, to regulate the times for angling, and to 

 discountenance, or send to Coventry, such as 



