34 OLD-FASHIONED ANGLING 



not to get drunk or draw their knives on forfeiture 

 of half their wages, nor fight on forfeiture of the 

 whole. They were not to lay wagers on the good 

 or ill-success of the fishing, nor buy or sell with the 

 condition of taking one or more fish on the penalty 

 of twenty-five florins. They were likewise to rest 

 satisfied with the provisions allowed them and never 

 to light candle, fire, or match, without the captain's 

 leave on the like penalty. These regulations were 

 read out before the voyage commenced and the crew 

 were then called over to receive the customary 

 gratuity before setting out and were promised 

 another on return in proportion to the success of 

 the voyage. The vessels went north leaving Ice- 

 land on the left, to parallel 75°, but some, the 

 author says, ventured as far as 80° or 82°. I fancy 

 he had rather vague ideas on the subject of North 

 latitude, as it was not until 1827 that Sir E. Parry 

 reached 82°, the farthest point north ever attained 

 up to that time. 



Amongst other fish " stock fish " is mentioned, 

 which is described as "cod fish caught in the 

 North of Norway by fishermen who cut holes in 

 the ice for the purpose. On hooking one, as soon 

 as they pulled it out, it was opened, cleaned, and 

 then thrown on the rocks where it froze and became 

 as hard as a deal board, and never to be dissolved. 



