The coastal fishery of the eastern seaboard of Scotland is
in a bad way—possibly in danger of disappearing altogether. But whatever its fate, its memory will be imperishably preserved by Mr. Peter F. Anson's Fishing Boats and Fisher Folk on the East Coast of Scotland (Dent, 12s. 6d.), an admirably faithful and comprehensive bit of work. The book furnishes a complete account of the life of the East- Scottish fisherfolk oftheir religion which counts for much and of their superstitions which count for as much more ; of the various patterns and seagoing qualities of their fishing- craft ; of the fish they catch and of those which (owing, perhaps, to the coming of the steam-drifter and steam- trawler) they catch no longer. The author has been at pains, too, to make a collection of the curious personal names of the fisherfolk (who are still almost a race apart) like Swankie, Blues, Cow, Spouse, Plucker, Criggie and Gatt. Mr. Anson's own illustrations in colour and line demand to be specially noted. Scientifically simple in design, they are yet full of charm (e.g., that of Rockfield on p. 240, though the artist's own choice is for Pennan on p. 173), and they make one long to visit these little fishertowns nestled, as they so often are, in " the cleavin' o' a craig." The book is a marvel of thorough- ness, beauty and withal cheapness.
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