for them to think of vile lucre? Their world
lay far above the common herd; they are on the road to Parnassus and
despise the grovelling souls--the mob--who toil and drudge, stooping
over their work like the beasts that perish, uncheered by a single
ray from the sacred altar of the muses.

This contempt for the masses they cherish until they have to descend
from Parnassus and enter the public service. Then they learn to
discourse eloquently on the benefits of commerce, whilst in reality
they are completely indifferent to it.

Scarcely any of the official classes, except the clergy, to whom on
such occasions offerings flowed more liberally, rejoiced in a good
fishing season. When the herring was abundant, and money was
plentiful in the country, so that everybody was able to clear off
incumbrances and to lay by something, the lawyers complained of bad
times.

But when, on the other hand, the people were badly off, when the
fishing or the harvest failed, when a tightness of money stopped
supplies, so that bankruptcies, distress warrants, and forced sales
by auction, with heavy law charges were frequent, then it was that
the lawyers throve.

With the exception of the official class, and of the few families
that lived upon pensions or dividends, there was a feeling of joy
over all the town when the herrings arrived. All were interested in a
prosperous fishing, which should bring the fulfilment of
long-cherished hopes, or relief from embarrassments.

First and foremost everything relating to the sea--and this comprised
the whole town--was in a state of activity, from the fishermen
themselves to the dealers in salt and the speculators. All moved in a
sort of delirium so long as the fishing lasted.

Not only skippers, but even young mates, were entrusted with vessels,
and the most daring feats were performed in order to arrive first at
the fishing-ground, and to secure a full cargo.

Men misled one another with false information, occasionally came to
blows, and drank deeply when time and opportunity offered.

In the club, the evenings were noisy; all the rooms were full, and
people even sat on the edge of the billiard-tables, which was
contrary to rules.

Every new-comer was expected to bring tidings of the fishing, of the
prices, and of how many shoals were surrounded by the nets, also, if
there were any news from the north.

These were the only available sources of information, and business
was regulated accord