THE ENGLISH FISHING SETTLEMENTS. 327 



Stornoway in order to assist the undertaking. Surely this 

 was a signal triumph for the foresight and wisdom of Colin, 

 Earl of Seaforth. Some Dutch families actually settled 

 in Stornoway,* and in view of the reputation which the 

 Hollanders of that period had earned for industry and 

 frugality, it may well be believed that their presence was 

 beneficial to the town. But when the rupture between 

 England and Holland occurred in 1665, the Dutchmen 

 were compelled to return home. In 1669, stock was again 

 being raised for the Company, but according to Sir George 

 Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, many merchants refused to sub- 

 scribe, fearing to be " overawed " by the noblemen, while 

 many noblemen held aloof, fearing to be cheated by the 

 merchants. In these democratic times, when noblemen 

 are sometimes business men, and merchants sometimes 

 men of title, no such difficulty could arise; but different 

 class distinctions and different standards of morality pre- 

 vailed in the reign of the Merry Monarch. The King 

 himself, always impecunious, finally withdrew his capital 

 from the Company, requiring the money for other and 

 probably less worthy objects ; the merchants followed his 

 example, and the whole concern collapsed. 



In 1677, a new Company was formed under the Royal 

 auspices, and was endowed with special privileges. Most 

 of the Company's busses were built in Holland and manned 

 by Dutchmen ; and a promising commencement was made. 

 But during the war with France, six out of the seven 

 vessels were captured by the French, and in 1680, the 

 Company sold its remaining property. Fresh subscriptions 

 were raised by a number of merchants to repair these 

 losses, but the death of the King and the political troubles 

 which followed that event, rendered the project ineffectual. 



Soon after the Revolution, a further attempt was made 

 to form a Fishery Company, but it proved unsuccessful. 

 Several similar efforts were put forth after the Union. In 



* Symson (The Present State ofScotlami) states they so improved the inhabi- 

 tants during their short stay, that they still (1738) ' exceed all those of the 

 neighbouring isles and mainland." 



