CHKONOLOGICAI HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 279 



' have some influence with their fellows. They declined 

 ' my proposal to go to Torquay, — first, because they might 

 ' lose the herring-fishing here, and, also, they did not 

 ' relish the idea of being implicated in the introduction 

 ' of trawling in this bay. This latter objection they ad- 

 ' mitted freely to me. They have boats of their own 

 ' suitable for the work, but they fear the vengeance of 

 ' those who have nothing to lose. They say that in one 

 ' week, after their return from England on such an errand, 

 ' they would be without a boat. I did not go farther, as 

 ' I well knew the people, and feel convinced that no 



* amount of eloquence would ever change their long- 

 ' rooted prejudices. I was near catching it the other 

 ' evening for allowing my dog to run on board a boat 

 ' ready for sea ; so that you have two powerful elements 

 ' to contend with — superstition and prejudice. But with 

 ' all this, they are a hardy race, and there are some good 

 ' men among them. I have not much doubt that if there 

 ' were sufficient constant protection given by the Govern- 



* ment, you would see, before twelve months, many of 

 ' themselves trawling in the bay. There are forty to fifty 

 ' boats here, from twelve to fifteen tons, which would suit 

 ' the purpose, and some only require to see the thing well 

 ' established, when, I am convinced, they would quickly 

 ' follow. What is required then, in my humble opinion, 

 ' is a S7nall war steamer in the roads, always ready for sea, 

 ' with sufficient boats attached to go up the shallow bays 

 ' and creeks, to protect those who will work and not idle. 

 ' When the herrings are in season, at present the custom 

 ' is, first to ascertain whether the self-created lords of the 

 ' bay intend to go out to fish. If they are in tlie mood to 

 ' go, then all may take their chance ; but if they say No, 

 ' then, monstrotis to say, the many industrious men who 



