VALLEY OF THE CANCHE. 211 



as big as cock-chafers, and are said to be very successful; 

 but we should fancy few English anglers would be 

 inclined to try the experiment. The operator hides 

 himself behind a bush or other convenient shelter, and 

 bobs away until he rouses up some big trout from his 

 hole. If he miss him, he lies down on the bank, and 

 sleeps or smokes, until he fancies the trout has recovered 

 his equanimity, and then he bobs away at him again, 

 until he ultimately hooks him. Large fish are said to 

 be caught in this way; but any tyro may see at a glance 

 that it is a contemptible piece of business. 



The entire valley of the Canche is remarkably beautiful. 

 The hills are fringed with wood; and the verdure, so 

 singularly rich in this country, diffuses over the landscape 

 a certain degree of splendour which cannot be described. 

 The French mode of pruning and training the trees, though 

 somewhat formal and foppish compared with the over- 

 arching boughs and drooping foliage of English woodland 

 scenery, communicates, nevertheless, a sort of picturesque 

 stateliness to the prospect ; and the entire absence of stiff 

 hedgerows and impervious geometrical divisions, gives to 

 the open country an air of joyous freedom and expansion, 

 which is inexpressibly charming. The angler will linger 

 with delight amongst these placid and tranquil scenes; 

 and he will assuredly leave them with regret, even 

 though hard experience should have convinced him, with 

 the dissatisfied Rasselas, that in this world there is no 

 " happy valley." 



