The Third Day 59 



paste for the winter months, at which time the Chub 

 is accounted best, for then it is observed, that the 

 forked bones are lost, or turned into a kind of 

 gristle, especially if he be baked, of cheese and 

 turpentine. He will bite also at a minnow, or penk, 

 as a Trout will : of which I shall tell you more 

 hereafter, and of divers other baits. But take this 

 for a rule, that, in hot weather, he is to be fished for 

 towards the mid-water, or near the top ; and in 

 colder weather, nearer the bottom ; and if you fish 

 for him on the top, with a beetle, or any fly, then 

 be sure to let your line be very long, and to keep 

 out of sight. And having told you, that his spawn 

 is excellent meat, and that the head of a large 

 Cheven, the throat being well washed, is the best 

 part of him, I will say no more of this fish at the 

 present, but wish you may catch the next you fish 

 for. 



But, lest you may judge me too nice in urging to 

 have the Chub dressed so presently after he is 

 taken, I will commend to your consideration how 

 curious former times have been in the like kind. 



You shall read in Seneca, his Natural Questions ', 

 that the ancients were so curious in the newness of 

 their fish, that that semed not new enough that was 

 not put alive into the guest's hand ; and he says, 

 that to that end they did usually keep them living 

 in glass bottles in their dining-rooms, and they did 

 glory much in their entertaining of friends, to have 

 that fish taken from under their table alive that was 

 instantly to be fed upon ; and he says, they took 

 great pleasure to see their Mullets change to several 

 colours when they were dying. But enough of 

 this ; for I doubt I have staid too long from giving 

 you some Observations of the Trout, and how to 

 fish for him, which shall take up the next of my 

 spare time. 



