It was quite a long time ago that a compelling sense of duty led me to
undertake the exoneration of a noble fraternity, of which I am an humble
member, from certain narrow-minded, if not malicious, accusations. The
title given to what was then written, "A Defense of Fishermen," was
precisely descriptive of its purpose. It was not easy, however, to keep
entirely within defensive limits; for the temptation was very strong and
constant to abandon negation and palliation for the more pleasing task
of commending to the admiration and affection of mankind in affirmative
terms both fishing and fishermen. A determination to attempt this at
another time, and thus supplement the matter then in hand, made
resistance to this temptation successful; but the contemplated
supplementation was then foreshadowed in the following terms:
"The defense of the fishing fraternity which has been here attempted
is by no means so completely stated as it should be. Nor should the
world be allowed to overlook the admirable affirmative qualities
which exist among genuine members of the brotherhood and the useful
traits which the indulgence in the gentle art cultivates and
fosters. A recital of these, with a description of the personal
influence of these peculiarities found in the ranks of fishermen,
and the influence of these peculiarities on success or failure, are
necessary to a thorough vindication of those who worthily illustrate
the virtues of our clan."
The execution of the design thus foreshadowed has until now been evaded
on account of the importance and delicacy of the undertaking and a
distrust of my ability to deal adequately with the subject. Though these
misgivings have not been overcome, my perplexity, as I enter upon the
work so long delayed, is somewhat relieved by the hope that true
fishermen will be tolerant, whatever may be the measure of my success,
and that all others concerned will be teachable and open-minded.