THE MOSELLE. 279 



of Mezieres, until it reaches the frontiers of Belgium, 

 where we must leave it for the present. 



The river MOSELLE takes its rise in the department of 

 the Vosges, from several original feeders, about fifteen or 

 twenty miles above the town of Epinal. This is an 

 excellent river for the angler's purpose; and it has been 

 held in high repute as a salmon and trout-water for 

 many centuries. Indeed, even in the days of the 

 Romans, Ausonius sang the praises of the noble salmon 

 which abounded in its azure stream. When the river 

 arrives at Epinal, it is a considerable stream, and divides 

 the town into three parts. The angler, however, must 

 go, either above or below Epinal, a short distance, before 

 he will encounter first-rate streams; but in these direc- 

 tions, if the water be in good condition, he may calculate 

 on killing fish to his heart's content. 



The river continues beautiful from Epinal to Toul ; and 

 the villages on its banks are exceedingly interesting and 

 picturesque. A few miles below Toul the Moselle 

 receives the waters of the important stream called the 

 Meurthe, which has a rim of about sixty miles from its 

 source in the department of the Upper Rhine. It is an 

 excellent river for the purposes of the angler, as the trout 

 are numerous, large, and of fine quality, and begins to be 

 fishable at St. Die, a romantic little town on its banks, a 

 few miles below its source. 



From this place to Luneville the water continues 

 remarkably good; and streams of the most beautifully 

 rippling character, admirably adapted for the fly, will be 

 found in this locality. Luneville is a place of considerable 

 antiquity; and some curiosities of Roman origin will be 

 found in its vicinity. 



