The Life-Boat
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THE LIFE-BOAT, OR JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. (ISSUED QTTAKTKBLT.) PRICE 3d. VOL. XII.—No. 130.] NOVEMBER 1, 1883. WEECK CHAEI. THE FISHEKIES EXHIBITION. IT would probably savour of exaggeration the sightseer, they have probably helped to assert that this Exhibition is entitled to their shareholders also. the first place in the long roll of similar At every railway station, tickets for the undertakings, of which the Exhibition of Fisheries were so advertised, that "all 1851 was the grand beginning; but who ran might read." history will give it a high place as an un- Once there, the scene is so novel, and qualified success—whether as regarding the effect so beautiful, that it is difficult the attractiveness of the things brought in a small space like the present to do any together—-the manner in which they are justice to it. displayed—or the organization which The Exhibition of Fish and Fishing- enables everyone to see so well and so tackle sounds prosaic, but the arrange- completely free from inconvenience, every ments take away a great deal of the article of the interesting collection brought common-place; and standing at the end, together. Upwards of two and a quarter commanding a long vista from the steps millions of people have gone there; and under the glass arch, nets dyed in dif- though, of course, those people who are ferent colours, festooned along, serve the always "bored," have been bored there double purpose of veiling the glare and as much as anywhere else, the masses are enhancing the beauty of .the scene. delighted with all they see; the place Under this centre corridor, l>oats, gear is popular in the best sense of the term; and ropes come in regular order. Carved and the enquiry, " Have you been to the figure-heads from distant lands stand Fisheries?" has this year completely put in friendly rivalry with the smartest the weather upon one side. boats of our highest civilization. The Few indeed have been so lacking in Queen's State-barge, dating from the energy and interest as not to have been 1st James, and blazing with red and at any rate once, and very few have con- gold, is to be seen in one place; and the tented themselves with one visit. coble in which Grace Darling saved the The administrative capacity of the Exe- lives of the shipwrecked sailors, and made cutive has been tested and proved—in her name famous for all time, is not far no way more so than in the first necessary off. There is a picture of her—a young, step of getting their visitors there. In nice-looking girl, with a fine complexion this they have been most ably assisted and and a modest expression—and round her seconded by the railway companies; and boat gathers a crowd of earnest admirers. their assistance is not the less acceptable It is wonderful, though the most useful because, in helping to smooth the path of and plain articles are very visible, how LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL.—VOL. XII.—No. 130. 198 THE LIFE-BOAT. [NOVEMBEB 1, 1883. little they seem to destroy the effect of outcome of long-continued custom and the charm given by the display of the local prejudices—and it is one of the im- more beautiful things. In this, England portant offices of this Exhibition to break does not carry off the palm; some of the down these prejudices, which so often foreign courts very far surpassing her in fatally prevent desirable improvements. the taste with which their national con- The Exhibition does not content itself tributions are arranged to catch the public with teaching how to catch fish; it also eye. teaches how to cook it; and going upon There is much to admire in our courts, the right principle of " beginning at the and a great deal that appeals pleasantly beginning," there are also models of the to the memory of those many who lore various hatching systems. In short, from rod-fishing, whose eyes mast rejoice to the spawn of fish, to the latest methods sea old friends again. "John Seott," civilization has discovered of making use " Silver Doctor/' " John Fergusson," of them—their flesh, their bones —nothing "March Brown," "Professor," and "Part- has been forgotten. The various methods ridge Buff/' with hundreds of others, bring of capture—the nets, and the mode of vividly to mind pleasant and happy days, escape for smaller fishes from the meshes when rod in hand, a favourite pool was of the voracious trawl-net—everything neared, and a fresh-run fish, or a wily deserves study. trout, was encountered and captured. As to the cooking, we are obliged to The oldest article exhibited in our take it on trust; but the success of the courts is, we beliere, the red-aad-gold Bd. fish-dinners has far exceeded the most State-barge already mentioned, built in sanguine expectatioas: hungry crowds James the First's reign, and lent by Her flock in, and hungry crowds wait with Majesty. dogged determination outside. The fish- Innumerable models of fishing-boats market has not supplied cheap fish, the and vessels from all parts of the world prices asked being at times higher than is claim attention; they are very interesting now the rule in other markets. and instructive, and range from the Of course there are innumerable displays beautiful fishing-schooners of the United of cured fish, freezing ia a refrigerator, States, with their yacht-like form and salting, pickling, smoking, ad infinitum— white cotton canvas sails, to the skin the most patent fact being, that however coracles still in use on the West Coast of perfect the method of preservation may Ireland; the modern canoe and square- be, the look of these delicacies in their ended fishing-punts of the Thames, with uncooked condition is not lovely to the their luxurious fittings, cushions and eye, or appetizing to gaze upon. Even a awnings, &e., stand near enough to chal- turtle, when converted into a mummy, is lenge comparison with the regular fishing- not suggestive of tempting soup—though boats, looking like work, and reminding of course this is a mere sentimental feeling, one of the dangers they have to face as well and does not affect its excellence as a as the many contrivances for lessening the matter of fact. risk, that are exhibited. Nothing is more Waterproofing, applied to every portion striking than the immense difference in of clothing in use among fishermen, shines form, hull, rigging, &c., where the object out in lustrous folds; and wearing apparel of all is the same, i.e., to provide the of many kinds is to be seen—one depart- greatest practicable security for life and ment being devoted to a certain article property in pursuing a perilous calling. worn by ladies, and which, till somebody Doubtless some of these differences are thought of the whales, puzzled some of due to local requirements for harbouring the visitors a good deal as to its being the and hauling up the boats, but there is a right thing in the right place. good deal that can only be accounted for No one doubts the advantage of bringing by believing the form, &c., to be the before the eyes of those who have no other NOVEMBER 1, 1883.] THE LIFE-BOAT. 199 opportunity of seeing them, the enormous sincerely to be congratulated. There are variety of fish existing in the world. other cases almost equally good, and some Eeading and pictures awaken a certain stuffed fishes wonderfully fresh and life- interest, but nothing equal to that created like. by tangible proofs. There is but a short One great merit in this Exhibition is step between the interest aroused by the possibility of seeing a great deal personal acquaintance with fish and the without over-fatigue. There are plenty of various manners of catching it, and the seats, and except as regards the candidates hardy tribe of men who brave the dangers for the fish-dinners, no overcrowding. of the deep, spending their lives in a From one end to another the organiza- perilous calling, and in bringing home tion is admirable. There are very few the spoils of the sea. policemen, and they are unobtrusive; and In the United States Court there are a more orderly number of people could not some splendid specimens—giants of the seen. More than two and a quarter millions finny tribe. Sun-fish are to be seen in have been there, and numbers do not dimi- one place, and huge whales in another. nish. Of course some go because, putting Overhead hangs a cuttle-fish, which enables the fish on one side, it is a very attractive one to realise the truth of Victor Hugo's place to go to. There is good music, and description of a struggle with a monster there is much besides. The gardens are of this kind in his ' Toilers of the Sea.' always pretty; the weather has been fine ; Passing to the Colonial Exhibits, how and the admission is cheap. But at night much there is to see! The exquisite shells it is a world of enchantment, owing to the of the Bahamas and the tropics; the electric light. Each court gains in beauty, quaint carvings and delicate tracery on and the mysterious, clear, and soft light huge conch shells. Each court has hun- gives the commonest objects a charm. In dreds of objects of beauty and interest. the gardens the scene is fairy-like.