Pike-Fishing in the Black Forest. 3 1 



lantly, a pike of 6 Ib. soon allowed himself to 

 be landed. 



We had now been out somewhat more than 

 an hour ; and as I was to leave the Schluch See 

 early in the afternoon, I could remain no longer 

 with my good-natured acquaintance. But often 

 in Germany, to vary the French proverb some- 

 what, man proposes, but the postmaster dis- 

 poses. It was so in our case ; for an inexor- 

 able rule obliged the traveller to have his 

 luggage at the post an hour and a half before 

 the Post-wagen departed. Five minutes were 

 amply sufficient to label and book it ; but red- 

 tape was victorious. We had to remain, or to 

 go on ourselves without any clothes ; and to 

 the astonishment of the officials, we preferred 

 not to desert our garments, having no reason to 

 urge us on our journey in a state of inconven- 

 ience. Once before much the same thing had 

 happened to me ; but in that instance I over- 

 came the dominant spirit of Germany. It was 

 at Offenburg, on the Baden State Eailway. My 

 portmanteau was lying in the office, whither it 

 had been sent to await my arrival. The train 

 was about shortly to depart, and everything 

 was in order. But it was impossible for me to 



