103 
posed; they seldom touch the coarse-grained portions, — the 
jowl, lip, tongue, sound and nape constitute their fish diet. 
Learned physiologists assert that sweet fresh fish, properly 
cooked, affords the most desirable brain food and healthy 
nourishment for intellectual development; this theory accounts 
in part for the success among fishermen. As a reformatory 
school the fishing craft affords genial scope to the most un¬ 
governable youth ; the keen desire to be high line, and the burn¬ 
ing ambition to lead in sailing, renders this calling the most 
acceptable. Many a runaway boy has risen to honorable 
positions of trust through this live industry. Poor boys engage 
in it at an early age. The season embraces eight months, w T hich 
is devoted to fitting, fishing and curing; the few inclement 
months afford an opportunity for acquiring the rudiments of 
education in the poor boy’s college — the free schools. From 
such humble beginnings some have risen to .commercial renown ; 
the Pattens, Cushings, Coffins, Bacons, Howes, Fosters, Bakers, 
Nickersons, Ryders, Lombards, Westons, Holmes’, Baxters, 
Hallets, Sturgis’, Grinnells, and others among our merchant 
princes now basking in wealth, have won their earliest laurels 
at the cod-line. 
Legislation friendly to the development of our fisheries is 
now earnestly demanded and appeals warmly to our govern¬ 
ment. The depressed condition of our shipping unites in this 
call. Commendable efforts have been put forth to stimulate 
shipbuilding. We submit a few practical suggestions to the 
“ assembled wisdom ” of our country touching the needed 
measures most likely to stimulate our fisheries, and the devel¬ 
opment of our commerce: 
First — A governmental subsidy, payable on the products of 
the sea. 
Second — The immediate incorporation of British America 
with our country. 
Lastly — The creation of a department in our government 
supervising our fisheries and commerce. 
The maritime nations of northern Europe have, from time 
immemorial, encouraged the fisheries — a policy which has been 
crowned with happy success. Denmark pays large sums annu¬ 
ally for developing the fisheries around Iceland and Greenland; 
that industry has attained great proportions, and is earnestly 
