74 BRITISH FISHERIES 



to break down the practical monopoly enjoyed 

 by Holland of the herring fishing and curing 

 industry. The Dutch herring fishery in Scottish 

 seas was at one time of considerable magnitude. 

 " Since that year, 1 594," says a State paper of 

 the time of Charles I.,^ "the Hollanders have 

 cu thither w"' al their Fleet of Busyes sutimes 

 3000 Saile." Fishing companies were formed 

 to exploit Scottish waters, but most of these 

 organisations had an unfortunate career, and little 

 good was accomplished by this means. At last 

 an expedient in accord with the economic 

 doctrines current at the time was adopted, and 

 an earnest and thoroughly successful attempt was 

 made to establish a herring fishery on the coasts 

 of Scotland, by means of a very direct system of 

 protection. When we consider only the present 

 prosperous condition of the Scottish sea-fisheries, 

 it is not easy thoroughly to appreciate the diffi- 

 culties that had to be encountered in establish- 

 ing a flourishing industry in a very poor country, 

 and on a comparatively inhospitable coast like 

 that of the eastern sea-board of Scotland. And in 

 these latter times we have become so thoroughly 

 saturated with Free Trade ideas, that it is difficult 

 to ascribe to the early protective systems the 

 credit to which they are undoubtedly entitled. 

 It is well to note that from its beginning the 



^ Domestic, Charles I., vol. clii., No. 63, 1629; quoted in 

 Mackenzie's History of the Outer Hebrides, Paisley, 1903. 



