LAWS RELATIVE TO FISIIIVG. 355 



Barbel, Chub, Roach, Dace, Gudgeons, or Perch^ 

 prefer that part which has a clean, gravelly, or sandy 

 bottom ; for those Fish, unlike Carp, Tench, and 

 Eels, are seldom found where the bottom is foul or 

 muddy. 



It is well known to old Anglers, that heavy Trout, 

 Barbel, and other. Fish, may be caught, during the 

 night, by anglings but it is hazardous, in respect to 

 health t, few can practise it with impunity, and many 

 have suffered for years by colds, agues, and most 

 violent rheumatic affections, brought by following 

 the diversion of night-angling j therefore, the serious 

 and gentlemen Anglers seldom practise it. 



Laws relative to Fishing. 



As an advocate for angling, I feel interested and 

 anxious for the honour and credit of the Angler's 

 character and conduct ; I, therefore, beg his attention 

 to a few observations, and extracts from Acts of Par- 

 liament relative to the preservation of Fish and 

 Fisheries. It should be recollected, that if the Angler 

 commit an offence or trespass, from his ignorance of 

 the laws on the subject, he is equally liable to fine 

 and punishment as if acting by premeditated design ; 

 for it is presumed by the magistrates of courts, that 

 from the known publicity of the laws, every person 

 is acquainted with their regulations in respect to the 

 protection of property, punishment for trespass, and 

 the like. Moreover, as reasonable beings, and ac- 

 countable for our misdeeds, it surely behoves us so to 



