296 HINTS ON ANGLING. 



said to be of enormous magnitude. Anglers, who have 

 fished the open waters in North Wales, unanimously 

 assert, that the trolling for pike cannot be beaten any- 

 where; and the fishing generally for still- water fish, is of 

 the very best description. 



Although somewhat at variance with the general scope 

 and object of this work, we must be allowed to make a 

 few observations on the angling in the river Thames, 

 and those waters and streams which lie within a short 

 distance of the metropolis. 



Every one who has the slightest acquaintance with 

 London, knows very well that it contains many thousands 

 of zealous and devoted disciples of the "gentle craft," 

 who are animated with the spirit of genuine sportsmen, 

 but who have no comprehensive or suitable range in 

 which to exercise their skill, or display their enthusiasm. 

 However much, therefore, we may be induced, in the 

 abstract, to undervalue the angling of this particular 

 locality, it would argue an unbecoming degree of inso- 

 lence and pretension, not to sympathise with a vast 

 number of persons, whose necessary occupations confine 

 them within such limits, and who are obliged, therefore, 

 to make a virtue of necessity, but who endure their hard 

 lot with comparative good humour and complacency, and 

 assume no over-bearing pretension, to pass for what they 

 really are not; and indeed, from the nature of the case, 

 cannot be. It is a mark of good sense, and good bro- 

 therhood, to enter into the feelings of those who cannot 

 overcome the disadvantages of their position, to partici- 

 pate in their piscatory joys and sorrows; and so do our 

 best to enable them to extract as large a portion of 

 rational enjoyment and pleasure out of the circum- 



