SEA FISHERIES. . 17 



undecked to decked boats has been the alteration in 

 the masting of very many of the Scotch boats. Any- 

 one who had an opportunity a few years ago of com- 

 paring the Scotch with the English drift-boats, must 

 have noticed the peculiar rig of the former in the 

 general absence of a mizen-lug, and the practice of 

 carrying a large main-lug and a fore-lug. The incon- 

 venience of the necessary arrangements in a decked 

 boat for lowering the mainmast, as well as the fore- 

 mast, when fishing, which is so desirable as to be 

 almost absolutely requisite, has led to the adoption in 

 these boats of the universal rig of drift-boats in Eng- 

 land, namely, a very large fore-lug and a mizen ; thus 

 the mainmast is altogether got rid of, and the advantage 

 is gained of having the after sail in a position where 

 it has increased power, which is especially useful on a 

 wind, or when the boat is working its way in or out of 

 harbour, while at the same time giving more room 

 in the boat. 



I have hitherto said very little of the Irish 

 fisheries. They offer a painful contrast to those of 

 England or Scotland ; not, however, from any general 

 scarcity of fish, but unfortunately owing to the annual 

 decline in the number of persons who devote their 

 energies to the necessary work. Emigration, impro- 

 videncewith its natural result, poverty distance 

 from markets in some districts, objections and obstruc- 

 tions to unaccustomed methods of fishing in others, 

 idleness after successful work, and, I fear, an incli- 

 nation to spend money in drink rather than in mate- 

 rials for fishing, have in one part or other of Ireland 



c 



