350 Wilts Notes and Queries. 
Wilts Motes and Queries. 
Satmon Fisurne in Wints.—Aubrey, in his chapter on “ Fishes,” 
makes the following statement: ‘Salmons are sometimes taken in 
the upper Avon, rarely, at Harnham bridge juxta Sarum.” (Wat. 
Hist. of Wilts, p. 63.) To this Britton appends, by way of a note, 
a quotation from Hatcher: “ On the authority of this passage, Dr. 
Maton includes the salmon among the Wiltshire fish ; but he adds, 
I know no person now living who has ascertained its having 
ascended the Avon so far as Salisbury.” (Hatcher’s Hist. of Salis. 
p. 689.) 
In explanation of this apparent contradiction, it may be stated 
that so recently as 1715 at least, the pages of the Commons’ 
Journals furnish evidence that the salmon of this county was 
considered worth legislative protection. In the 4th and 5th of 
Queen Anne, an Act had been obtained “for the increase and 
better preservation of the salmon and other fish in the rivers in the 
counties of Southamptou and Wilts”: and in the Ist George I., a 
clause was inserted in the said Bill enlarging the time of salmon- 
fishing in the said counties from the last day of June to the first of 
August following. (Commons’ Journals, vol. xviii. p. 177.) 
Resecca Riors.—The midnight demolition of turnpikes, com- 
monly designated as the acts of Rebecca, which recently occurred 
in Wales and other western counties, indicated but the revival of 
an old prejudice which had from time to time found expression in 
similar acts a hundred years ago. The dwellers in the Chippenham 
district especially signalised themselves in the year 1728, by their 
unrelenting opposition to an act which was then endeavoured to be 
put in operation for a road from Studley through Chippenham to 
Toghill ; till at last the trustees were compelled to apply to Parlia- 
ment for protection and advice. The rioters on this occasion appear 
to have attempted no disguise, assembling by day as well as night. 
In our own days, the turnpike nuisance in another part of Wilts 
having exceeded all endurable limits, was crushed by the moral 
