Even the better sort of men who
haunt our public-houses are glad to meet and talk with the poachers. The
punishment gives a man a few weeks of privation and months of adulation.
He bears no malice; he simply goes and poaches again. No burglar ever
brags of his exploits; the poacher always boasts, and always receives
applause.
JIM BILLINGS.
Few people know that large numbers of the splendid seamen who man our
North Sea fishing fleets are arrant Cockneys. In the North-country and
in Scotland the proud natives are accustomed to regard the Cockney as a
being who can only be reckoned as human by very charitable persons. To
hear a Scotch fisherman mention a "Kokenee" is an experience which lets
you know how far scorn may really be cherished by an earnest man. The
Northerners believe that all the manliness and hardiness in the country
reside in their persons; but I take leave to dispute that pleasing
article of faith, for I have seen hundreds of Londoners who were quite
as brave and skilful sailors as any born north of the Tees.
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