When that Good Friday was come the men of Gotham did cast their heads
together what to do with their white herrings, red herrings, their
sprats, and salt fish. Then one counselled with the other, and agreed
that all such fish should be cast into the pond or pool, which was in
the middle of the town, that the number of them might increase against
the next year. Therefore every one that had got any fish left did cast
them into the pond. Then one said—
“I have as yet gotten left so many red herrings.”
“Well,” said the other, “and I have left so many whitings.”