CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 299 



fishermen to resort to many parts of the coast of Scotland 

 if the present establishment be extinguished. 



" The steady periodical resort of the great shoals of 

 herrings to the East Coast of Scotland for the last fifteen 

 years, goes far to contradict the general belief in the 

 capricious migratory habits of that fish ; but although 

 they keep their ground upon the shores of the North Sea, 

 they frequently vary their position, sometimes abounding 

 on the shores of Caithness, and as far north as the Ork- 

 neys, and sometimes on the shores of Aberdeen, Kincar- 

 dine, Forfar, Fife, and Haddington, and as far south as 

 the Tweed. It is an object of great importance to the 

 fishers to be made acquainted speedily with the most 

 favourable localities. Along the whole East Coast there 

 are stationed intelligent officers, whose duty it is to com- 

 municate constantly with the head quarters at Edinburgh ; 

 and the facilities afforded by telegraph would enable the 

 authorities there to inform us of the movements of the 

 fish. That there is a cordial disposition to afford us every 

 possible aid, I entertain no doubt ; and I am sanguine in 

 the hope that the example of last season would, under 

 such circumstances, and with confidence in due protec- 

 tion, induce many adventurers from our shores, notwith- 

 standing the charge of ' indomitahle indolence' to partici- 

 pate in the great harvest of the Scotch herring-fishery, 

 and finally teach them habits which nothing but example 

 and success can produce. Since my return from Scotland, 

 I have learned that the Arklow men having brought 

 home, clear of all expenses, not less than L.8 a man, had 

 resolved upon making a similar trial next season, and 

 were already making preparations for improving their 

 boats and gear ; but even our poor fishermen can appre- 

 ciate the advantages of the existence of a well-organised 



