[ 104 V ] 



CHAPTER XVI. 



THE IXGLOSIOUS DEATH OF A THAMES TEOUT. 



While carelessly strolling with a friend one lovely 

 summer's morning in July along the towing-path of 

 Old Father Thames, somewhere about midway between 

 Oxford and London, our attention was suddenly at- 

 tracted by the sight of five lisli lying motionless in 

 shallow water within a few feet of the bank, as yet 

 totally unconscious of our approach. 



Upon drawing cautiously nearer to them, needless 

 to say from below stream, we were somewhat astonished 

 to find that they were trout, as although in the less 

 frequented reaches of the upper Thames, during the 

 early spring months, trout of various sizes may fre- 

 quently be observed feeding in close proximity to the 

 banks, it is by no means a common occurrence to find 

 them in a similar position so late as July, as by this 

 time of year they have generally discarded such open 

 spots, and have drawn up to the deeper waters near the 

 weirs, where they can enjoy greater privacy and a more 

 aerated stream, from which it is not their custom to 



