224 CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 



ing on an average to upwards of twopence per barrel ; 

 and there were, besides, duties of 4s. 6d. per 100 bushels of 

 salt, Is. per barrel on herrings consumed in Scotland, 

 and 3s. 4d. on herrings consumed in England, and 2s. 4d. 

 per barrel on herrings brought into England from Scot- 

 land — so that while there was a bounty paid on buss fish- 

 ing, which gave an apparent advantage to those who 

 fitted out busses, there where heavy duties on salt and 

 fish, besides the duties on raw materials, which were thus 

 retarding the progress of the fisheries, and counteracting 

 the ideal encouragement conferred on the fishing in the 

 shape of bounties. 



Nothing could exceed the lively and interesting sight 

 of the herring-fishery in the various sea-ports and villages 

 on the shores of the Firth at the time of the fishing 

 during the few years the shoals returned. The little har- 

 bours filled with boats loaded with the silvery spoil, vast 

 numbers of men and women conveying the herrings, 

 gutting and packing, or putting them in the smoking- 

 houses, gave a most interesting appearance to the busy 

 scene ; and in one small tow"n, Burntisland, there were 

 no less than twenty-two smoking-houses erected for smok- 

 ing or making red herrings. But the want of judicious 

 superintendence was the cause of the shoal being driven 

 away ; herrings, like other gregarious animals, are easily 

 disturbed, and the fishing during the day fairly drove the 

 shoals ofi" in the course of time from their haunts. 



In 1801 a Committee of the House of Commons was 

 appointed to inquire into the state of the herring-fishery, 

 which committee recommended, as the principal remedial 

 measure, the total abolition of the duty on salt; but 

 this recommendation was not adopted, — on the contrary, 

 the duties on salt were raised. 



