CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORY OF THE HERRING-FISHERY. 315 



large pioportioii of the revenue of Scotland, and is the 

 chief means of subsistence of a considerable part of the 

 population of that kingdom. Still more, it exhibits those 

 signs of healthy life for which the invigorating impulses 

 of competition are sought and valued. It is progressive. 

 It grapples with formidable rivals, and conquers them. 

 Since 1848, the quantity of herrings imported from Great 

 Britain into the ports of Stettin, Konigsberg, Hamburg 

 and Dantzic, has increased from 100,297 to 318,263 barrels 

 in 1855 ; whilst the Dutch imports into the same places 

 have declined from 5019 to 1300 barrels, and the Nor- 

 wegian from 194,862 to 122,423 barrels. Is it politic to 

 disturb such an organization ? Can an adequate motive be 

 alleged strong enough to call for and justify interference ? 

 Is it desirable to destroy, in exchange for another, a 

 machinery which is certainly the concomitant, but which 

 is also represented by a majority of those who carry on 

 the trade to be an efficient instrument of its prosperity ? 

 Such we consider to be the practical question to which 

 we are required to give an answer. 1, Now it is essential 

 to observe, that the services performed by the branding- 

 are necessary for the herring trade, and must, under 

 any system, be accomplished by some machinery or other. 

 Every part of the work done by the fishery-officers is not 

 only useful but indispensable. Gutters and picklers must 

 be watched, for a few broken or ill-assorted fish would 

 greatly impair the mercantile value of a barrel of her- 

 rings. There must be inspection before purchase. That 

 the fishery-officers discharge their duties with admirable 

 judgment, is cheerfully, and even gratefully acknowledged 



by all parties Amidst the many attacks made 



on the brand, there was no accusation that the vast export 

 which it covered ever deceived the confidence of buyers. 



