Travellers in the colder latitudes of the new and old world, agree in representing the rivers of those countries as literally swarming with noble salmon. The increase of man, and the advances of civilisation, have led to the decrease of salmon in the British Islands, and this fish will probably, in a century or so more, rank among other exterminated animals, as the bustard, &c.
Any of your readers would oblige me by reference to authorities in which statements may be found as to the ancient productiveness of the salmon fisheries of Great Britain and Ireland; in fact, to any information or curious details on the subject.
H. T. H.
THOMAS CRAWFURD.
Can any of your readers inform me when Mr. Thomas Crawfurd was the Professor of Philosophy in the University of Edinburgh? In a Scotch Peerage, by Mr. George Crawfurd, published in 1716, there is a Latin epigram by him on the armorial bearings of the Crawfurds of Kilbirny in Ayrshire, one of whom was created Viscount Garnock by Queen Anne, in the second year of her reign. The description of the armorial bearings is as follows in the same peerage, under the head Crawfurd, Viscount of Garnock—
"Quarterly 1st and 4th gules, a fess ermine. 2nd and 3rd azure, a Cheveron betwixt three Cross Patées Or, supported by two Grayhounds. Crest, an ermine Argent. Motto, 'Sine labe nota.'"
The author then adds,—
"A learned gentleman of this name[2] paraphrased this coat of arms in these fine elegiacs—
"Sanguineum scutum præcingit balteus albens,