SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 167 



deliglit. I have paid fifty-four visits to the river, to measure the 

 abatement of its waters ; can minutely describe every shade it 

 assumed during that time, from Indian ink to half and half ; and 

 have nearly worried Terry to death with interrogations concerning 

 the hour on which we shall be able to commence operations. There 

 was some consolation in this, as Mr. Divers had the villany to charge 

 thirty shillings per week for himself and an execrable leaky cot, 

 which he averred to be *the most illigant boat in the county.* 



"Willie, in his department, has not been idle whispered con- 

 sultations between him and Terry have been going on every day, and 

 various councils have been held to decide on the merits of a shade or 

 the attractions of a feather. K success is to be commensurate with 

 wisdom in debate and skill in execution, ours will be marvellous." 



Here I must pause ; only, however to finish the tale in the 

 following chapter. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



Baliina The Scribe doth a Tale unfold Up the River, with manifold Remi- 

 niscences of " Down the Water," illustrative of what may be done on the 

 Moy under favourable Circumstances Hypothesis. 



July 11. 

 At half-past three a.m. on Monday, the 9th of July, a.d. one I 

 like to be particular in such matters ^my companion and myself 

 sallied forth into the High street of Baliina. Rods were glancing in 

 all directions, hurrying towards the scene of action ; nobs and snobs, 

 noblemen and gentlemen, tinkers and tailors, soldiers and sailors, 

 were on the alert. Every order in " the capital of the west" 

 appeared to have sent a representative. The justice and the priest, 

 the doctor and the lawyer, hurried along the grand route. It was a 

 high day a general holiday and business, if the good town ever 

 had any, which I never could discover for once was left to take 

 care of itself. A hundred yards brought us to the river ; boats were 



