180 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



river and port. Although frequently mentioned in the 

 wars of the Low Countries, this town is not celebrated for 

 any historical incidents of great moment, unless we 

 except the fact, that it was sold by Charles II. to 

 the French for 150,000. 



The celebrated Lord Kochester is reported to have 

 said, that this merry monarch " never said a foolish thing, 

 and never did a wise one." This must have been before 

 the sale of this fortress was effected ; for, seeing that he 

 could not keep possession of it in the event of a war, the 

 bargain was a proof of the king's prudence and fore- 

 sight. 



The famous Jean Bart was a native of this town ; and 

 a statue has been recently erected to commemorate his 

 daring exploits. He seems to have been a kind of mari- 

 time nondescript, half pirate, half smuggler, who did 

 some damage to the English mercantile marine, and 

 therefore makes a very good naval hero in the estimation 

 of our vapouring neighbours. 



The church of St. Eloi, and the public library contain- 

 ing eighteen or twenty thousand volumes, are worthy of 

 notice. 



The fishing here is good. Pike, perch, eels, etc., may 

 be obtained in considerable quantities: and the angling 

 under the ramparts for roach and bleak is, as in most of 

 the waters in this part of France, of a first-rate de- 

 scription. 



The angler will find Dunkerque an agreeable place of 

 temporary sojourn, as many English families reside there. 

 It stands on one of the great routes from Calais into Ger- 

 many; and this circumstance, coupled with its proximity 

 to Belgium, and vicinity to the sea, renders it a favourite 

 resort for many families during the summer months. 



