NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 315 



THE PERCH. 



The perch is a well-disciplined martial fish, 

 of much more mettle, gallantry, and courage, 

 than the carp, though not almost, but altoge- 

 ther, of as slow a motion ; and though as free 

 from the taint of controversy, as the wax is free 

 to submit to the impression of the seal, yet he 

 never enters the list but he always arms him- 

 self. It's true, he's a volunteer that lives above 

 fear, nor dreads he that any thing of art can in- 

 vade him ; nay, though he see himself surround- 

 ed with danger and difficulties, and immured 

 with rocks and ruinous decays, yet he will shew 

 himself as prodigal of his stock of life, as any 

 fish living that floats in water. It is true, I must 

 confess, that he is a great admirer of smooth ri- 

 vers, but the rapid streams in rivulets he seldom 

 or never frequents, notwithstanding him so bold 

 and daring a fish : nor is he of any great activi- 

 ty in the solitary lough ; and would to his li- 

 king use as little exercise in the river, did not 

 the streams sometimes invade him, which makes 

 him more active than otherwise he would be, be- 

 cause of self-preservation. Which still strength- 

 ens my opinion of preferring the river-fish in 

 excellency to exceed those in the pond : though 

 peradventure travel mitigates growth, (as we 



