respects, be altered, modified, and amended.”  It therefore enacted that different close-times shall be observed in different divisions of Scotland, the whole of which is partitioned into twelve districts, as specified in schedule A referred to in the bill.  We do not know how or from whom the necessary information was obtained; but we doubt not it was sedulously sought for, and digested in due form.  For example, the boundaries as to time and space of the second district, are as follows:—­“From Tarbet Ness aforesaid, to Fort George Point, in the county of Nairn, including the Beaulie Frith and the rivers connected therewith, except the river Ness, from the 20th day of August to the 6th day of January, both days inclusive; and for the said river Ness, from the 14th day of July, to the 1st day of December, both days inclusive.”  This is so far well.  But in the ninth district, the definition and directions are:—­“From the confines of the Solway Frith to the northern boundary of the county of Ayr, from the 30th day of September to the 16th day of February, both days inclusive.”  Now most anglers know that the district thus defined, includes streams which vary considerably in their character, and cannot be correctly classed together.  Thus the Doon, which draws its chief sources from numerous lakes among the hills, is one of the earliest rivers in the south-west of Scotland, clean fresh-run fish occurring in it by Christmas; while the neighbouring river Ayr, although existing under the same general climatic influence, produces few good salmon till the month of June.  It is fed by tributaries of the common kind.  The Stinchar, in the same district, is also a late river, being seldom worked by the tacksmen till towards the end of April, and even then few of the fish are worth keeping.  Of course, it requires to be closed in September, although the fish are then in good case.  These, and many other facts which might be mentioned, show the difficulty of legislating even upon the improved localizing principle which it has been attempted to introduce.  However, the bill referred to, though printed, was never passed.

[Footnote 14:  The net fishings in the Tweed do not close till the 16th of October, and the lovers of the angle are allowed an additional fortnight.  These fishings do not open (either for net or rod) till the 15th of February.]

[Footnote 15:  It was proved in evidence before the select committee of the House of Commons in 1825, that the amount of salmon killed in the Ness during eight years, (from 1811-12 to 1818-19,) made a total for the months

Of December, of 2405
Of January, 3554
Of February, 3239
Of March, 3029
Of April, 2147
Of May, 1127
Of June, 170
Of July, 253
Of August, 2192
Of September, 430
               ------
               18,542

It further appears, from the evidence referred to, that during these years no grilse ran up the Ness till after the month of May.  The months