248 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



many legitimate claims on the foreigner's consideration 

 and curiosity. The foundation of the city is lost in the 

 darkness of past ages ; but it was a place of high celebrity 

 at the time of the Roman invasion of Gaul, and at that 

 period went under the name of Burdigala. The magni- 

 ficent streets, the noble cathedral, the beautiful churches, 

 the royal chateau, the theatre, said to be the finest in 

 Europe, the bourse, the palace of justice, the public 

 library, the cabinet of natural history, the museum of 

 choice paintings, the public walks, the baths, and the 

 bridges, are all objects of more than ordinary interest, 

 and cannot fail to communicate a fund of delightful 

 pleasure to every rational and cultivated mind. 



The higher waters of the Garonne, as well as those of 

 its large tributaries, the Lot and the Aveyron, the 

 Arriege, and the Tarn, afford, unquestionably, one of the 

 finest ranges for the purposes of the angler within the 

 same extent of country in all Europe. Nothing can 

 exceed it, either for purity of water, exquisite rippling 

 streams, or fine bold scenery, interspersed with pic- 

 turesque spots of surpassing rural beauty. 



In our opinion, the very best plan to obtain the full 

 enjoyment of this delightful tract of country is to set out, 

 for example, from the city of Toulouse; and just go as 

 the crow flies over the country to the sea, which is at a 

 distance of about one hundred and thirty miles. In 

 this space, the angler will encounter numerous fine limpid 

 streams, well stocked with trout, which he can either fish 

 up or down as suits his taste or convenience. All the 

 finest fishing tributaries come running down from the 

 Pyrenees into the Garonne, and traverse the country in 

 nearly straight lines until they form a junction with it. 

 The angler will enjoy in these districts more capital 



