those who hazarded their labour, caught plentiful takings, of dimensions larger than had been seen during many years: and the neighbourhood was well supplied with good fish.

among their comrades.
missioners,

Sxy the Com

from any part of Scotland, except from the No complaints have been made to them Firth of Forth, where it has long been Nor is this the only prejudice against sized herrings were not to be found. The maintained by certain, persons, that largewhich the Commissioners have had to experiment has now been made there as struggle; not always with equal success. Some of the fish were cured circumstances of the case, with more sucwell as elsewhere; and considering all the gutted; others ungutted; and, in fact, cess than could have been expected. we learn from this authority, that the The Forth fishermen seemed to expect Irish, long resisted the consumption of that, notwithstanding all that had been gutted herrings,-on what principle, we said, the law would be relaxed, and thereare altogether at a loss to conceive. Ifore were much later of proceeding to the 1810, the quantity of herrings cured gutted was more than the quantity cured gutted in 1809, by nearly 23,000 barrels; being 65,430 barrels. In this says the Report,

The Commissioners have great satisfaction in remarking, that from their statement it appears, the desirable practice of curing herrings gutted is gaining ground; and provided the salutary provision of the Act, which refuses bounty to such herrings as shall not be so cured, be allowed full time to operate undisturbed, they look forward with confidence to the practice becoming in a great measure prevalent throughout the country. The official brand of an officer of the fishery upon a barrel of herrings, may be considered as a pledge by government, that such barrel contains not only the full measure of 32 gallons, but that it also contains 32 gallons of her

fishery than usual; and when they did proceed, upon finding their expectations disappointed, the boats were neither half proper stock of nets. Yet, notwithstanding so numerous as usual, nor supplied with a these impediments, upwards of 2,000 barrels were cured of herrings such as had point of size and excellence; and it is not never been seen in this neighbournood in perhaps too much to say, that upwards of herrings were consumed fresh. Had the ten times that quantity of the same kind of Commissioners have little doubt that corsame exertions been made as formerly, the rienced; and they are persuaded that by a responding success would have been expefirm adherence to the salutary regulation of the size of the mesh, the herring fishery in the Firth of Forth, which has for many years been dwindling away, from the imother ruinous modes of destroying the fry, provident use of small-meshed nets, and will, in the course of a short time, be restored to its former prosperity.

rings of good quality, and properly cured. When the practice therefore of curing herrings gutted, and of submitting such her- Coast, who were formerly inimical to a Fishermen in some parts of the West rings to the inspection of the fishery off-standard mesh, are now represented as cers, becomes general, the Commissioners think it may fairly be inferred, that the character of the British White Herring Fishery will thereby be greatly improved, and the wealth of the nation be also materially increased, from the additional demand which may reasonably be expected for herrings of so superior a quality.

being satisfied of its propriety; and from the circumstance of another season having commenced without a single remonstrance, the Commissioners think it may be inferred, that the advantage of a fixed standard of mesh is now acknowledged in most parts

of Scotland.

to that coun

The Report for 1811 presents little Irish for ungutted herrings, appears to This year, too, the partiality of the beside the continuation of the plan in have given way. The quantity of operation, and the extension of it to the gutted herrings sent Port of London. This year, however, try being little short of ten thousand we learn that the grumblings of the barrels a circumstance at which the Forth fishermen continued; and though Commissioners express their pleasure; their former proceedings had evidently and on which they take occasion to been to their disrepute, and thereby, of remark. course, to their disadvantage, yet their prejudices still clung to them; while they were fast wearing away from

satisfaction the general increase of the exThe Commissioners view also with much portation of Herrings, notwithstanding the

stop to; confidence was restored among the Buss Masters, and measures taken to have the articles which had been abstracted restored to their respective owners. The

discouragement under which the Exporter of Herrings labours, in consequence of the superior bounty granted on the exportation of Pilchards. The export bounty on Pilchards is 8s. 6d. per barrel of 50 gal-produce of the Fishery also, so far from lons, or nearly 5s. 6d. per barrel of 32 gallons: while the export bounty on Herrings, is only 2s. 8d. per barrel of 32 gallons, or less than one half of the other. Were the bounties equalized by a reduction of the Pilchard bounty to a level with that of Herrings, and the two articles thereby allowed to meet in the foreign market upon equal terms, the Commissiouers have little doubt that a great additional incitement would be given to the prosecution of the Herring Fishery, and the exportation of Herrings be carried to a much greater extent than can be expected at present.

We leave this to the consideration of the Cornish merchants and fishermen ; whose observations would deserve attention: our present remarks are contined to the north, where the increase of honesty seems to afford no less occasion of congratulation, than the increase of fish taken, and exported.

falling off, was more abundant than it had been for many years; and among other testimonies of the utility of the measure, the Commissioners have received a letter of thanks from the adventurers at one of the principal Fishing Ports in the kingdom, in which they earnestly request, that the same measure for the protection of their property may be adopted this year as was done last season.

This request, hints, pretty plainly, at depredations still continuing, and, in fact, additional force was found necessary, to insure the enjoyment of " every man his own." The Commissioners had, further, the satisfaction of seeing, that the increase in quantity kept pace with their exertions, while the quality was improved by their regulations.The following is their statement of the quantities of Fish obtained for 1812.

The Fishing for 1812 has been more abundant than in any one year since the appointment of the Commissioners, the total quantity of Herrings brought under the cognizance of the Officers of the Fishery, in 1811 was 111,519 barrels; an increase over the preceding year of 19,692 barrels ; the total quantity of 1812, is 153,4881 barreis; an increase over 1811 of 41,9682 barreis.

Among other arrangements the Naval Officer who acts as Superintendent of the Deep Sea Fishery, was sent after the close of that Fishing to the North West Highlands, with directions to use his utmost endeavours to put a stop to the use of small meshed nets, and to prevent the persons engaged in the Coast Fishery from committing depredations on the fishing materials of their neigbours. These depreda- In 1811, the total quantity of Herrings tions have long been a subject of complaint, cured gutted was 72,515 barreis, of which and the cause of serious detriment to the 58,430 barrels were found entitled to bounty, Fishery; and the Commissioners were of being an increase over the preceding year opinion, they could devise no plan so likely of 7,085 barrels in the quantity gutted, to put an effectual stop to them, as by sta- and 2,767 in the quantity branded; tioning a Ship of War during the season whereas by the present accounts, the quanat the place where the Fishery was carried tity cured gutted is 89,900} barrels, whereon to the greatest extent Some of those of 70,027 barrels have been found entimost deeply interested in the Fishery were tled to bounty, being an increase over afraid that the presence of the Superintend-1811 of 17,385 barrels of gutted, and of ent would have the effect of deterring the 11,597 barrels branded. country people from prosecuting the Fishery In 1811, the quantity of Herrings exaltogether, for fear of their being impressed ported was 62,820 barrels of which 27,564 into the Navy: but these apprehensions barrels were cured utted ; in 1812, the total have proved groundless, and the Commis- quantity exported is 109,725 barrels, sioners have the satisfaction to say, that whereof 40,100 barrels were cured gutted. the measure has been reported to them, to The increase over the year 1811 is very conhave been attended with the most benefi-siderable; but no exact comparison can be cial effects. The depredations, which before the arrival of the Superintendent, were carried on to an extent calculated to ruin the Fishery, were in a few days thereafter, in consequence of his prudence and unremitted exertions, completely put a

stated, as the exportation from the Port of
Loudon for the whole year is included in
the present accounts, which was not the case
The Commissioners ob-
in the year 1811
serve with pleasure, that upwards of
11,000 barrels, of which nearly one half

were gutted, were exported, within the period of this Report, to the Coutinent of Europe, where it is believed they came to a very advantageous market; and that of the Herrings exported to Ireland, 16,255 barrels were cured gutted, being an increase over the last year in the quantity of gutted Herrings sent to that country, of 6,669 barrels. The Commissioners have much satisfaction in remarking this circumstance; because, until within these few years the consumption of gutted Herrings was obstinately resisted in Ireland; and because one great cause for persisting in curing Herrings ungutted, is likely now soon to be altogether removed.

The Commissioners have further the pleasure of reporting, that the success of last year's Fishingh as not been confined to the Coast Fishery, but has also extended to the Deep Sea Fishery, in which there has been an increase both in the number

of Busses fitted out, and in the quantity of Herrings caught. In 1811, the number of Busses was seven, and the quantity of

Herrings caught 1,588 barre's; being the same number of Busses as in 1810, and an increase over the quantity of Herrings then ought, of upwards of 600 barrels; whereas in 1812, the number of Busses was ten, and the quantity of Herrings caught 2,8414 barrels, being an increase over 1811 of three Lusses and 1,2531 barrels of Herrings. One of the Busses which had a Dutch Fishing Master on board obtained two complete cargos in the course of the seasou; and the remainder of the fleet caught each of them full cargoes, with the exception of Que vessel, which however got 150 barreis. Of the Busses fitted out, two wore under 60 tons burthen, which appear to have answered equally well with those of a large size. The Herrings caught at the Decp Sea, within the period of this Report, were cured gutted.

Our readers will observe the advantage obtained by the Buss which had the benefit of Dutch advice:-Let us never be too wise to learn.

STATEMENT OF THE PRODUCE OF THE FISHERY.

prior to the Act of 48th Geo. III. cap. 110, a bounty was allowed of 10s. per ton on vessels fitted out under certain conditions, together with a bounty of 2s. per barrel on herrings landed therefrom, to the extent of 21 barrels per ton, and 6d. per barrel for the remainder of the cargo; as also a bounty of 2s. per barrel on herrings landed from boats or vessels fitted out, not for the tounage bounty.

There are no means of ascertaining correctly what would have been the amount of the said tonnage bounty in the four years before-mentioned, as it is impossible now to say what number of Busses would have been fitted out under the prescribed conditions and regulations; but it appears by accounts furnished to the Commissioners from the department of the Customs in England and Scotland, that the tonnage bounty actually allowed under the Act of the 50th Geo. III. cap. 54, (by which the former system of bounties was renewed for a short period,) in the year ended 25th March 1811, was 1,844!. for England, and | 629/ 5s. for Scotland; together, 1,973. 5s. The tonnage bounty allowed under the Act (in England) in the year ended the 25th March 1810, is stated to have been 1,223/. 10s. 6d. and the amount the wou'd have been paid in Eugland in the year ended 25th March 1812, supposing the said Act had still continued in force, is stated to be 1,094. 12s.

:

that neighbourhood, will render proceed-
ings effectual. We learn also, that fish
appear in the Lochs of Scotland, earlier
than formerly this deserves notice: it
had the effect of deceiving the fisherman,
probably depends on the season but has
and diminishing the fishery in those
stations. Moreover, the weather proved
so fine, at that time, that the herrings
were under no necessity to seek shelter
in the Lochs, but pursued their course
in the open sea, where those who used
to find them in the Lochs, were not in
the habit of seeking them. The strict-
hess of the Commissioners, has improv-
ed, not only the size of the fish, but
also the weight and measure of the bar-
ed from ten to nineteen busses.
rels. The deep sea fishery has increas-

What might be the extent to which
this branch of Commerce should be
carried, it is impossible to conjecture.
The war with America, occasioned a
demand in the West India Islands. The
peace with Europe occasioned a demand
on the Continent.
therefore, has taken place, than was be-
A greater export,
fore experienced. May a speedy return
of peace,—an establishment of all
peace
the world over, reduce to matter of ex-
perience and fact, what, at the present
moment can be only matter of supposi-
tion and conjecture.

The Commissioners proceed to estimate the Bounties that would have been payable in the period during which they have acted at £101,913 4s. 8d. from which deducting their own expences, £40,109 — 101 the difference in favour of the existing system in the course of four years, is £61,804 4s. 93d. This certainly, is not inconsiderable; but, we confess, that we look much more to the advantage obtained in raising the credit of the article, in promoting its consumption, in dissipating prejudices, and in establishing the general system, than to any saving made in a concern so important, or to any reduction in ex-posed. Unquestionably, there must be pences, public or private, for the time.

An additional Report of the state of the Fishery for 1813, informs us of applications made from several ports for the presence of a regular officer: some of these the Commissioners decline acceding to; others they recommend.-The Firth of Forth, continues to give some trouble; but, it is hoped, that the assistance of the Justices of Peace, in

"Whoever lets down a hook and takes a fish out of the sea, brings up a piece of money," says the sagacious Franklin: and true it is, that the capture of shoal fish, has been found a mine of wealth. The ocean differs from the land, in that it demands no rent, no expences in behalf of the animals it supports, no disappointment is felt for loss by death, nor is the market penny snatched from the hand of expectation by those afflictive accidents to which the property of the Agriculturist is incessantly ex

incidents which balance these advanta

ges; and this inference is justified, by the evident deficiencies of supply in this article of food, which our nation has always experienced.

In our thirteenth volume, p. 619, the reader has seen attempts made, by an exertion of benevolence, to supply, not the metropolis only, but the country in the interior with fish, in a salted state;

and many particulars attending the ex-ly, in the readiness and extent of its conperiment are stated; they are sufficient sumption. to shew, that our own nation would greatly benefit, by an extension of the fisheries around our own coasts.

It will, therefore, he with pleasure that our readers perceive the pains of the legislature, to extend and intaken by the Committee, under sanction the British Fishery; to procure from crease the character and reputation of the Sea, the best article, in the best condition, and to continue that article in the best condition till it reaches the consumer. The benefit of emulation, into a good train of management, at present, of putting those concerned and of fixing their habits, favourably, will last for many years; and will be felt, when the trifling expence which has been disbursed on the bounty shall have been repaid a hundred times over, or perhaps, shall be completely out of sight, and forgotten.

The species of fish which might be introduced into general consumption, are herrings, pilchards, mackarel, cod, ling, hake, and other fish of large size, which are also supplied by the sea in abundance. These should be salted; and the rather because the increase of the potato, as an article of food, is now almost universal; and the fish in a salted state, forms precisely that kind of diet which agrees well with the farinaceous nature of that root. In the maritime counties this advantage is enjoyed to a considerable degree: there can be no doubt on the possibility of encreasing it, and of extending it to towns and distric's now without it. Under the present state of our roads, and the rapidity of Whatever interest attaches most our travelling conveyances, we presume strongly to our national subsistence,that the proverb is no longer applicable, to our national defence, as a maritime which says "the Mayor of Notting-people,-to the raising and educating ham opens oysters with his sword,"- of a hardy race, proof against fear on doubtful, if not fearful, of their effluvia. that elcinent which has been their craThe value of the fisheries, as at predle,-Whatever interest attaches to the sent conducted, is stated by Mr. Col- acquisition of wealth at home, without quhoun at 1,500,0001. but, it. OUGHT incurring the dangers of distant chimes, TO BE EXTENDED to, at least, five times in combination with the political consithat amount. The wonderfully prolific deration of inducing thousands to depowers of the sea, have never yet been pend on us for a supply of food, and of duly appreciated by us. The growing population of the country has never yet been taught to rely on this species of food for a permanent supply. And if we look abroad to the probable increase of foreign consumers also, there can be no doubt of the probability of engaging in this trade the largest capitals which can be advanced, with full security of an adequate and not distant return.

the influence that commercial intercourse naturally creates-these, and much more belong to the enlargement and extension of our Fisheries. We send our ships to Newfoundland in search of cod, nothing better than might be obtained at home: the Poles witness the adventurous spirit of our people, who under the highest latitudes, as well south as north, chase the bear, the seal, and the whale ;— Among such establishments, to what- The same spirit exerted in Fisherie ever extent they might be carried, the more properly our own, would meet its herring fishery would constantly retain full reward, and the prolonged exposure its importance. From the nature of the of the strength of our nation to incifish, from the season of its appearance, dental misfortunes would be prevented. from its regularity in observing its peOn which ever side we view it, this subriods, from the immensity of its shoals, ject is important, and deserves the fosand from the different manners of pre-tering care of the sovereign powers of serving it, which it readily admits, this fish can scarcely fail of taking the lead in the esteem of nations, and consequent

* Vide Literary Panorama, Vol. XV. pages 49, 50, &c.

our land; it is but in character, that the mistress of the seas should demand their tribute, and find in this mine of never failing evidence of her dominion. industry and wealth, an undeniable and