GADEANS AND PLEUEONECTS. 349 



of the Reformation/ gives as many good reasons for 

 obedience to the same — viz. that fish-eating affords due 

 sustenance^ as a means to virtue, and to subdue men's 

 bodies to their soul and spirit; that it encourages the 

 fishing trade, and that it saves flesh. The despisers of 

 the above act were liable to imprisonment, and no flesh 

 was allowed during incarceration, except to such as might 

 be duly authorized to receive it, — viz. 'the sick, the 

 aged, the infirm, and finally, women being great with 

 child, who were allowed to participate in such one kind 

 of flesh as they shall have a great lust unto.' To the 

 two primary fish days (Friday and Saturday) Queen 

 Elizabeth added a third (Wednesday), to be observed in 

 the same manner, allowing however one dish of flesh, 

 provided there were at the same meal consumed three 

 dishes of sea-fish; though during certain seasons this 

 permission did not extend to either beef or veal* How 

 long these restrictions were enforced we do not know ; 

 but when once the religious motive was eliminated, they 

 would probably soon come to be disregarded and obso- 

 lete. 



The following ingenious charade, with which we close 

 our notice upon cod, may not be familiar to- all our 

 readers : — 



Cut off my tead, and singular I act ; 



Cut off my tail, and plural I appear ; 



Cut off my tail and head — oli ! wondrous fact. 



Although, my middle's left, there's nothing here. 



What is my head cut off? — a sounding sea. 

 What is my tail out off P^a flowing river. 

 Far in the ocean depths, I fearless play ; 

 Giver of sweetest sounds, yet mute for ever. 



* Transgressors of this part of the Code Elizabeth were 

 mulcted £3 for each offence, except it were done by hcense, for 

 which each paid according to his station — viz. peers paid £1.6*. 8cZ., 

 knights and wives, 13«. 4i., and the common folk, 6s. 8d. 



