THE TENCH. 217 



either from confinement, age, or bulk, it at first merely 

 floated, and at last with difficulty swam gently away. 



The discovery and account of this fish was, however, 

 not to go unchallenged ; and Daniel says : 



" To this account some sceptics have demurred, and have 

 expressed their doubts in prose and verse, as follows : 



" ' The yellow-bellied TENCH of Thornville House, in York- 

 shire, which is supposed to have lain so many centuries, and 

 lived under the roots of some ancient trees without water, 

 is to be dressed at that celebrated mansion as soon as an 

 instrument is procured in which a proper kettle offish may 

 be made of this amphibious animal. It is to be served up 

 with sauce piquant, at a kind of Arthur's Round Table, to a 

 select corps of the Knights of the Long Bow' 



'"THE TENCH OF THORNVILLE HOUSE. 



A TRUE STORY ! ! ! 



" ' OH, the marvellous, 



At Thornville House, 

 We read of feats in plenty ; 



Where, with long bow, 



They hit, I trow, 

 Full nineteen shots in twenty ! 



" ' Their fame to fix. 



'Midst other tricks, 

 In which they so delight, sir, 



These blades, pray know; 

 The hatchet throw, 

 Till it is out of sight, sir. 



"'Of beast and bird 



Enough we've heard, 

 By cracks as loud as thunders ; 

 So now they dish 

 A monster fish, 

 For those who bite at wonders. 



" ' The scullion wench 



Did catch a Tench, 

 Fatter than Berkshire hogs, sir ; 



Which, pretty soul, 



Had made his hole, 

 Snug sheltered by some logs, sir. 



