and November) is quite appalling ; and were it not for the 

 vigilance of tlie guardians of the rivers, and the strictness 

 of the laws (too late enforced) this species of fish would 

 scarcely be able to exist. And had it not been for the 

 fortunate — I may say providential circumstance to which 

 the reader's attention will be directed in another chapter, 

 but few Salmon, indeed, would have been found at this 

 period (ISS?) in the rivers of the United Kingdom. 



Before the year 1812, and even to 1815, almost every 

 river in the Kingdom swarmed with fish. Witness in 

 Scotland, the Tweed with its 150,000 Salmon, at a rental 

 of above £20,000 per annum, the Tay a similar river, 

 the Deveron, the Findhorn, the Don, the Spey, and nume- 

 rous others. 



In Ireland, the Shannon, the Bann, the Lee, the Foyle, 

 the Blackwater, the Lagan, the Moy, with its "70,000 

 fish in one season. Numerous others are also to be foimd 

 in the Emerald Isle. 



In England, the Tamar, the Plym, the Exe, the Tyne, 

 the Trent — and very many others. In Wales also, there 

 are a few Salmon rivers ; the principal fish being trout in 

 that district. 



When we reflect on man's abuse of the good gifts of the 

 Creator, and the unnecessary and wanton destruction of 

 his choicest blessings, we must be led to admit, that we 

 are undeserving of them, and that, were he to remove 

 them altogether, it would be no more than we deserved. 



My favourite river the Tamar, in Devonshire, where 

 I have often sported joyously in my youth, and wandered 

 rod in hand tempting the finny tribe, formerly abounded 

 Avith Salmon and Salmon trout, but is now almost without a 



