86 By Stream and Sea. 



who taketh the bloom off the day's sport on such an occa- 

 sion as this. A smart schoolboy, upon being reminded of 

 the story anent bird and worm, suggested that the moral 

 cut both ways, because, though the diligent songster might 

 by early rising reap the advantage of his excellent habits, 

 the result was rather hard on the worm; and at Farningham 

 both men and fish were severely exercised during the first few 

 hours of Good Friday, as I may forthwith proceed to show. 

 We are, let us suppose, safely housed at the hotel a 

 most indispensable preliminary, for it is only by lodging 

 there that you can enjoy the angler's privileges. It is 

 Thursday evening, then, and the trout, as they look after 

 their evening meal, would almost seem to suspect that their 

 hours are numbered. Else, why should they dart up stream 

 at the approach of the gentlemen who are wandering 

 leisurely along the pleasant banks? The sun is sinking 

 easily away over the downs, and in the fading light the 

 campaigners of to-morrow are peering into the crystal depths, 

 with grim purpose marking the whereabouts of the enemy. 

 The intense eagerness of look and determination of de- 

 meanour of these enthusiasts might amuse a miserable 

 creature who is ignorant of the joys of angling ; but their 

 doings are watched almost with reverent awe, certainly with 

 kind approbation, by the Kentish men and boys who follow 

 their movements, resting their arms in prolonged idleness 

 upon the bridge. They know all about it. This inspection 

 is one of the essentials of the eve of the Carnival. There 

 are anglers, so to speak, who have grown grey in making 

 these annual pilgrimages to the Darent. The miller's men 

 regularly look for them ; the ostlers are personally aggrieved 

 if the major, or the doctor, or the professor, or the parson 

 does not at the proper time make his appearance, creel over 

 shoulder, rod in hand, fly casts round hat, 



