Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1806 edition. Excerpt: ... glected by Government of any of the Scots fisheries. There are annually caught on the coast of Shetland, from 800 to 1000 tons of those fish, the greatest part ling. They are taken by the inhabitants in small boats, in a tempestuous sea, at the hazard ofheir lives; and no sooner do they bring them on shore, than the fish are taken from them by their landlords or their substitutes, at such a price as they choose to give. " We are of opinion, that if the poor inhabitants of Shetland were relieved from their present servitude to their landlords, and allowed to cure and fell their own fish to the merchants, a much greater number of fish would be caught, the merchants supplied at a cheaper rate, and the fishermen properly recompensed for their industry. At present they are in a state of slavery to enrich their landlords. " It may be argued by interested people, that the fishermen in Shetland are so very poor that they cannot purchase salt and the other necessaries for catching and curing fish. This argument we readily admit; as, in their present state, they can hardly earn a scanty subsistence; but were they allowed to dispose of their fish to the best advantage, the intending purchasers would supply them with every necessary, to be paid for in fish'next season." 6. From Transactions of the Highland Society, vol. i; p. 275.--" On the state of the Fisheries of Zetland, 1786: By a native." (Referred to, supra, pp. 81. and 113). " In order to increase the number of fishermen in these islands, the arable lands have been divided into very small possessions; the occupiers of which are bound to fell their fish, to their respective landholders, at about 3 J-. 6 d.per cwt. of fresh fish. These fish are afterwards cured at the expence of the landlords;...
