298 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



nominated more than four metropolitan rivers 

 in England, that bathe her fertil and florid banks ; 

 because having a mind to step into Wales, or 

 the suburbs of it, to discover there a singular 

 curiosity, which probably may puzzle the opi- 

 nion of artists and others. Now one of these ri- 

 vers is called Wye, but the other is known by 

 the name of Usk ; both which rivers, as I am 

 told, incorporate themselves on the southside of 

 Monmouth. But the reason why I mention 

 these two eminent rivers, is only in regard of 

 their various entertainments, by reason the sal- 

 mon there are always in season ; for the one 

 supplies the defects of the other. As thus for 

 example ; if when to consider Wye flourisheth 

 with salmon, Usk, as if no river, is rarely dis- 

 cours'd of. On the contrary, when as Usk sends 

 her supplies to the bordering inhabitants, then 

 is Wye as little as any thing thought of. By 

 this contrariety and diversity of nature, the na- 

 tives may conclude that winter and summer 

 give not only the season to salmon, but rather 

 that they have laws from the streams they glide 

 in ; or Wales differs from all the world. 



The next thing that falls under the angler's 

 consideration, is the bait or charm for the royal 

 race of salmon ; which I reduce under the classis 

 of two generals, viz. the fly for frolick, to flou- 

 rish and sport on the surface of the streams ; and 



