CARRIERS 241 



For a very long period these Dutch eel-boats have 

 visited the Thames one writer stating that they have 

 had moorings in the river since the days of Queen 

 Elizabeth and it is said of them that they enjoy the 

 right to occupy their position for so long as they keep 

 at least one vessel stationed there. Certainly the Dutch 

 have had the right of mooring three of these vessels off 

 Billingsgate Market since the reign of Charles i. That 

 monarch granted the privilege to the Dutch in recog- 

 nition of their " straightforward dealings with us." 

 Apparently there are always two at least of the craft 

 in position. In the numberless journeys I have made up 

 and down London River, I have never seen fewer ; and, 

 what is perhaps as strange a circumstance, I have never 

 seen one of the eel-boats either coming to or going from 

 Billingsgate. r 



