DORY. 187 



by which time they expected to have their skins full of 

 Doree ; but that no opportunity might be lost, Quin left 

 strict charge with the host at Ivybridgc to procure some of 

 the finest Doree he could get, for his dinner on his return, 

 fixing the day. Whether our celebrated epicure was disap- 

 pointed in his expectations at Plymouth, is not recollected ; 

 but that he might have the provided fish at Ivybridge in the 

 highest perfection, and remarking that the place was too 

 remote from the coast to obtain sea-water for dressing the 

 Dorees anticipated, he ordered a cask of sea-water to be 

 tied behind his carriage. Unfortunately, the weather had 

 been stormy, and no fish of note could be procured. Every 

 apology was made by the host, who assured him that an 

 excellent dinner was provided, which, he had no doubt, 

 would be to his taste ; but no fish. The disappointment, 

 however, was too great to be borne with patience ; after 

 having made a water-cart of his carriage, and the appetite 

 having been set for John Dory boiled in sea-water, no excuse, 

 no apology, would satisfy Quin ; and he declared he would 

 not eat in his house, but, like a ship in distress, threw his 

 water-cask overboard, and pursued his journey not a little 

 sulky, till some fortunate stroke of wit, or some palatable 

 viand roused him to good humour. 



" This western tour of Quin's did not appear to have 

 given him much satisfaction, as may readily be imagined by 

 his reply to a friend on his return to Bath. Being asked if 

 he did not think Devonshire a sweet country, ' Sir,' 



said Quin, ' I found nothing sweet in Devonshire 



but the vinegar." 1 " Montagu's MS. 



The body of the Dory is oval, very much compressed ; 

 the head large ; the mouth capable of great protrusion, so 

 much so, that from the point of the lower jaw when extend- 

 ed, to the posterior angle of the operculum, is as long as 

 from that angle to the base of the caudal rays. The length 



