324 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



well-scour'd dew- worms, kept very sweet in 

 cleanly moss ; and if that prove ineffectual to 

 answer his design, then let him provoke him 

 with the flag or dock-worm, which will certain- 

 ly answer the angler's intention ; otherwise let 

 him blame both me and my directions. 



The tench best loves those torpid waters, where 

 The deeps are shaded well with reeds ; and there 

 The wounded fish that could not long endure 

 The smart and pain, finds him, so finds a cure. 



BARBLE. 



The barbie, though experienced a resolute 

 fish, yet is he as shame-faced as any of his fel- 

 lows : and as he hates to quarrel, so he abhors 

 an affront ; but reserves his strength, activity, 

 and agility, till the rod or the net prove his ex- 

 aminant ; whose belly or spawn may be eaten 

 as diet, but then it proves in operation but 

 churlish physick ; not that I assert it my opi- 

 nion only, let experience upon examination bet- 

 ter instruct you. Now when the angler comes 

 to the water-side, and brings what he loves, he 

 courts a familiarity, though his credit of late 

 has been much impair'd in the cook-room : 

 which possibly may proceed from the ignorant 



