THE BARBEL. 57 



be of opinion, that the Jewish physicians of his day 

 were in possession of secrets of unquestionable value, 

 derived from the supposed peculiar medicinal qualities of 

 this fish, which had been handed down by a long tradi- 

 tion from the days of Solomon. He gives no authority 

 for this opinion ; but old Izaak's fancies even, must always 

 appear respectable in the eyes of an enthusiastic angler. 



The tench has been called the physician of the pike; 

 the latter being supposed to rub himself against its soft 

 mollifying skin, when sick or wounded. This idea does 

 not seem to rest on any sufficient foundation; and yet it 

 is almost universally credited. 



The flesh of this fish is rich, luscious, and delicate, 

 although somewhat muddy in its flavour; but the an- 

 cients, who have afforded some illustrious instances of 

 their familiarity with the gastronomic art, and their ap- 

 preciation of the delicacies which nature supplies, con- 

 sidered the tench very difficult of digestion, and held 

 him in very slight estimation; and an old Silesian phy- 

 sician, who seems to have shared their prejudices, says, 

 " The tench is a vile neglected fish, very flabby and glu- 

 tinous, bad of digestion, a food fit only for paupers and 

 serfs." If he had ever eaten him, when under the influ- 

 ence of Dr. Kitchener's receipt, he would have smacked 

 his lips, and revoked his opinion altogether. 



barbel He 



The BARBEL is a well made, handsome, and powerful 

 fish, very active and vigorous; quite the sort of fellow to 

 try the strength of the angler's tackle, and the dexterity 

 of his hand. He is very fond of rapid waters which run 

 over a stony bottom, and will lie for a long time in a 

 boiling current under shelving banks near old stone walls 



