Midsummer day, in the river of the Bann, and likewise the fishing of the wear of Ballinasse, which, notwithstanding, was granted by letters patent to Thomas Ireland, and by him assigned to Sir Thomas Phillips, who is now in possession thereof.

"A small salmon fishing in the river of Roe, which is in his majesty's possession.

"A small salmon fishing in the creek of Foughan, falling into Lough Foile, in his majesty's possession.

"Certain small pools for fishing in the south-side of Lough Foile, in the king's possession. But the Lord Bishop of Derry doth claim a pool, called Clonye."

At present, the principal fisheries are those for salmon on the river Bann, and at the Rosses-bay, at Culmore, on the east side of the harbour of Derry, i. e. that anciently called Clonye; as to those which lie higher than the liberties of London-Derry, on the Foyle river, though not within the county, yet are they appertaining by charter to the Irish Society. That the original right to certain of those fisheries was vested in the ancient monasteries, within whose precincts they lay, appears from this, that on the suppression of those monasteries, we find that the then bishop of Derry laid claim to them, as successor to the ecclesiastical rights.

In the instructions to commissioners for the plantation of these territories, it was a direction, that the " fishings in loughs and rivers are to be allotted to the proportions next adjoining;" thence arose, at an early day, an opposition of claims between the London companies and the Bishop of Derry. It appears, that the privilege of fishing in the Bann, on the first Monday after Midsummer, which privilege had belonged to the convent of Coleraine, was actually exercised by a bishop of Derry. The day of exercising this right was, therefore, called Bishop's Monday, and a very old man, named Andrew Irwin, who was alive in 1800, remembered the exercise of this privilege; he also declared, that he was fishing at Black-point, near the Crannagh, on the day of the battle of the Boyne; and that during the whole

war the fisheries were unmolested. About ninety years ago, the claims of the bishop were bought off for an annuity, which was to be paid by the Irish Society, to whom, thenceforth, the entire dominion over the fishery was confirmed.

Beside the fishery of the Crannagh, there is another on the same river, called the Cuts, where the Bann falls over the rocks, the descent being 12 feet, and extremely rapid. A species of railing, called a weir, is here erected for the purpose of intercepting the salmon, and catching them in their ascent.

In the time of James the First, the Lord Deputy Chichester obtained a grant of the fisheries on the Bann; afterwards government purchased back this grant, in favour of the London society; and to insure it to them, caused Chichester to levy a fine, and suffer a recovery. When Charles the First set aside the charter of the corporation of Londoners, their title became void. In the time of the Commonwealth, Cromwell granted to one of the Skeffington family the right of the eel fishery of the Bann, in lieu of a certain pension, which this family claimed from the government. After the Restoration, the Londoners agreed to take out a new charter; but Chichester had the precaution, three months before this event, to obtain from the crown a grant, not only of his former possession, but also of the fishing from Lough Neagh to the Rock, that is to say, the Cuts. In this transaction, the lease made by Cromwell to Skeffington was handed over to Chichester. It appears, however, that Skeffington remained quietly in possession of the fishery for many years, till, having ousted a tenant, who understood the history of this transaction, this person apprised the Donegal family, who, thenceforth, took the occupation from the Skeffingtons into their own hands, and placed their own immediate tenants in possession.

If the cuts were abated, it is known the fish would all go up to Lough Neagh; to prevent which, the cuts are erected at spaces of 27 feet, 15 feet, and leaving 40 open; it is only when there is a strong fresh in the river, that the fish can leap up the rocks.

It seems, that between the proprietors of these two fisheries there is a common interest, for, if the salmon fishers acted perversely, they might destroy the young eels in their passage through the cuts. The eel fishers could also greatly damage the salmon fry, when these are making their way towards the sea.

Respecting the habits of the salmon, those which are nearly full grown go up the rivers to breed in March. The younger salmon, or grawls, follow for the same purpose in June; in November and December, they rood or spawn in the fords or shallows. The ova, or pea, continue in the sand or gravel for three months. About March, the fry shoal downward to the sea; at this time they are not larger than a small finger, yet, in the June following, when they are taken at their return from the sea, some have increased to the weight of 19 pounds, the very least weight 2lbs.

It has been observed of the salmon, that there are more females than males; and it is said, that both sexes always tend to their native . river: if a long small fish is taken at Crannagh, the fishermen call it a Foyle salmon; one of a plump shape, brownish colour, well flaked, with dark spots, is by them called a true Bann fish.

As to the season; about March or April, the first of the salmon, having made their appearance in fine weather with the tide, return again, playing in the ebb; yet, as the waters do not usually swell high enough for the fish to pass through the cuts, and as none can escape till the cuts are passable, it is thought prudent not to go to the expense of fishing, until the month of May. The size of a full grown salmon varies from 6 to 50lbs.; few exceed golbs. The best size is, from 16 to 20lbs.; grawls are reckoned one penny a pound inferior to salmon.

At the Crannagh, two sets of fishers are employed, night and day, during the season; they amount to about 58 men; with clerks, overseers, &c. about 70 persons are engaged.

The rent paid to the society, as I learn, is somewhat above £900. per annum; the expense of management used to vary from £1000. to £1500. As to the quantities, I understand, that in one year

250 tons of salted fish were taken, besides what were sold fresh; the least taken of any known year is 45 tons. As to price, in 1757, salmon sold at id. per pound; for many years after, the price continued at 1d.; about 20 years ago, it rose to gd., and soon after to 3d. The proprietors of this fishery, within these few years, have established a communication with the Liverpool market, by means of icing and transporting the fish in fast-sailing smacks; owing to this vent, as well as to the enhanced value of all other sorts of provisions, in the year 1800 the price was raised to 5d. per pound; but in the winter following, the salted fish fell to 3 d. and 4d. per pound. In the beginning of 1802, salmon sold from 5d. to 4d. generally; soon after this it was raised to 10d. and now for the last season, can with difficulty be procured; so great is the demand in foreign markets.

The salmon of the Bann have but one season, and must go sometimes thirty or forty miles to find a suitable place for spawning; those of Ramelton ascend but six or seven miles, and are taken in tolerably good condition the whole year round.

There are a few other inconsiderable fisheries in this county, along the sea-coasts, and in small rivers; but almost all the salmon brought to our markets, comes from the neighbouring counties, and is much inferior to that of the Bann.

Eel Fishing.

When the young eels come up the rivers from the sea, they are no larger than the finest packthread, but their numbers are incredible. During four months (from May till September) in which the eels fatten in the rivers and in Lough Neagh, they grow to the size of a human arm, sometimes even to that of a leg. In September they commence their return toward the sea, and then is the season for fishing. This is performed by intercepting the eels by means of pales and watling, constructed so as to converge, in following the direction of the current. Before these converging pales approach altogether, a long net is attached at the narrower and lower opening, and in the strongest part of the stream; the eels making their way into this

net, are entangled in the meshes, whence they are not able to retreat. The eel fishery may yield to the Marquis of Donegal, as I have been informed, about £400. per annum. The quantities taken must be very great. They are sold fresh in the markets around; and are salted for winter use, in place of herrings.

MANUFACTORIES.

Paper Mills.

There was one erected near Coleraine, by the Messrs. Church of that place; which did not succeed.

There is another, on a diminutive plan, constructed on the Fahan, which makes those sorts of paper, called brown thirds and lapping paper. The manager alleges, that there is no demand for his white paper; he says, that the rags are sooty, and the water mossy. The machinery consists of a single wheel and two vats, works 40 reams per month, and is rented at £40. per annum.

Flour Mills.

The principal flour-mill, belonging to the county of LondonDerry, was that of Penny-burn. Besides this, there was machinery for making oil. Two corn-mills also were annexed to the premises; one driven by water, the other a wind-mill. These mills, connected with an extensive bakery, are now in the occupation of Messrs. Wooer and Marshall.

Mr. Livingston has a flour-mill, near Walworth; and Messrs. Church a third near Coleraine. These three are of considerable standing. Of late, there have been erected within this county, three new flour-mills, each on the improved plans; near Newtown-Limavady one by Mr. Ross; near London-Derry another by Mr. Horner; and a third near Coleraine, upon a scale of the first rate, by Sir G. Hill and others forming a most respectable company.

Corn-mills are too numerous to be inserted. The toll varies from the 16th to the god grain.