, so that he would draw more
than any one else.

Some time during the spring or summer of 1868 there was great excitement
amongst the fishing-boat owners of Lowestoft and other ports on account
of an Act just passed regulating the building of vessels, having especial
regard to the ventilation of the cuddy, forecastle, or the men's sleeping
quarters. Posh tells me that many owners of drifters considered that the
Act applied to all craft, including fishing boats, and that great expense
was undergone by some over-conscientious owners in fitting ventilating
drums and shafts in accordance with the Act. If the statute applied to
any drifter it would apply to the _Meum and Tuum_, and FitzGerald
evidently thought that the intention of the Act was that fishing boats
should be exempt. He proved to be right, for the regulations were never
enforced on fishing boats. He wrote to Posh:--

"WOODBRIDGE, _Saturday_.

"DEAR POSH,

"You must lay out three halfpence on the _Eastern Times_ for last
Friday. In that Newspaper there is a good deal written about that Act
for altering Vessels: the Writer is quite sure--that the Act does
_not_ apply to Fishing craft; and he writes as if he knew what he was
writing about. But most likely if he had written just the contrary,
it would have seemed as right to me. Do you therefore fork out three
halfpennies, as I tell you, and study the matter and talk it over with
others. The owners of Vessels should lose no time in meeting, and in
passing some Resolution on the Subject.

"I have not seen Newson, but West was down at the Ferry some days back
and saw him. For a wonder, he [Newson] was _Fishing_!--for
Codlings--for there really was nothing else to do: no Woodbridge
Vessels coming in and out the Harbour, nor any work for the Salvage
Smacks. He spoke of his Wife as much the same: Smith, the Pilot,
thought her much altered when last he saw her.

"You will buy such things as you spoke of wanting at the Lowestoft
Sales if they go at a reasonable price. As to the claim made by your
Yawl, I suppose it will come down to half. The builders are coming to
my house again next week, I believe, having left their work undone.

"Now, here is a Letter for your Mantelpiece to-morrow--Sunday--I don't
think I have more to say.

"Yours E. FG.

"Mr. Durrant has never sent me the hamper of Flowers he promised.

"P.S. I post