SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 287 



order. Exposed to the influence the Major caught the infection, 

 and came down to breakfast with his lower extremities cased in 

 stout boots, instead of the gay embroidered slippers in which on less 

 momentous occasions he was wont to indulge. The short day 

 could ill afford luxurious hours, so my old friend gave up his cheroot, 

 lit a mighty pipe as he crossed the threshold (an example instantly 

 followed by our attendants), and under a strong head of steam, 

 we were soon running down the incline at the bottom of which flows 

 the Inny. 



This pretty mountain stream boasts a fair share of heavy spring 

 trout pe?'haps also a few early salmon, and might, if the freshes 

 were carefully watched, occasionally afford good angling in April 

 and May ; but being regularly netted by the proprietor, is of 

 little avail except immediately after each spate. When the annual 

 close time commences a good stock soon accumulates ; two months 

 had now elapsed since the nets were withdrawn, and the angling at 

 least as far as numbers went had reached its culminating point. 



The great prolongation of the rod season was no doubt intended 

 as a boon to the upper proprietors ; nevertheless, this gain was 

 obtained from the public loss. It was a sort of robbing Peter to 

 pay Paul, and legislation in the endeavour to propitiate extreme 

 interests steered the dangerous middle course which so often brings 

 the good ship St. Stephen on the rocks. During the last week of 

 September not one fish in fifty is in a condition fit for the table ; 

 and each day of the succeeding month renders a seasonable salmon 

 a greater rarity. After all, the diflBculty was to insert the edge of 

 the wedge : happily that useful implement is now in situ, and only 

 waits a little pressure from without, to be driven home. The 

 current of popular opinion is setting strongly in favour of river 

 reform ; even the rinderpest is not an unmixed evil, since by 

 increasing the price of one kind of animal food it has directed men's 

 minds to a source of supply hitherto neglected. But if we hope 

 to raise our waters within any reasonable period to the rank of a 

 national benefit, it can alone be realised by increasing the annual 

 close time. What we want is a suflBcient stock, and this can only 



