THE NEW AKT OF BREEDING FISH. 183 



or punish me for taking foul fish, or destroying spawn. 

 When the law is palpably unjust and one-sided no- 

 body cares for it, nobody respects it. The law, to be 

 respected and cared for, should deal equally with the 

 rights of property, and the duties of property ; and 

 if it enforce the one and neglect the other, it will 

 only generate contempt and apathy. Now I'll tell 

 you what I'll do, John ; I'll join with you in calling 

 a meeting of proprietors from the top of the river to 

 the bottom, and we will try to make a bargain that 

 shall be for the benefit of all. Let us form ourselves 

 into a company, and preserve the waters carefuUy at 

 our joint expense, and if there be any profit in the 

 fisheries, let us join in the profit. You cannot have 

 the salmon if I refuse to breed them, and I do posi- 

 tively refuse any longer to keep a brood farm, and 

 let you have aU the young stock. If you agree to 

 this offer, we can breed ten times as many fish as we 

 do at present, and we shall all do our best to preserve 

 them. As matters now stand, I care nothing about 

 them ; I have no interest in them beyond the pride 

 of having salmon in my waters ; but you know, John, 

 that pride will not pay rates and taxes. Well ! is 

 it a bargain ? Are we to be partners or antagonists ? 

 choose for yourself" 



You have here, Mr. Editor, if not the words, at 

 any rate the sentiments, of aU those river proprietors 

 who are debarred, by their distance from the sea, from 

 ever taking a salmon in a seasonable condition. 

 There are many of them who incur considerable ex- 



