PART III. 

 FRANCE AND BELGIUM. 



BEFORE entering upon a particular enumeration of the 

 rivers of France and Belgium, it is desirable that we 

 should communicate to the untravelled angler, some 

 general observations on the laws and practices of these 

 countries relative to the rights of fishing in rivers, canals, 

 and other waters, with the rod and line. For lack of 

 some such previous information, the unsuspicious English- 

 man may very easily get himself into scrapes, from which 

 he may find it difficult to extricate himself, without con- 

 siderable trouble and expense; and, indeed, numerous 

 instances have occurred, within our own knowledge, in 

 which parties, who were infinitely above all poaching 

 practices, and would have scorned to be guilty of any 

 unfair or ungentlemanlike conduct, have been severely 

 handled for their ignorance of the law and custom of the 

 country. In such cases, the French authorities afford no 

 redress. They contend, that if you will come into their 

 country, and participate in its amusements, you are bound 

 to make yourself acquainted with the state of the law on 

 the subject, or to take the consequences of your neglect. 

 This really seems to be a fair and reasonable view of the 



