1 8 THE SALMON 



by their names, and carp, tench, and trout in Germany 

 summoned to their food by the ringing of a bell. I 

 should be better prepared to credit this latter testi- 

 mony if Mr. Day had seen it himself, or if I could 

 cross-examine the witness he cites. If any food was 

 thrown on the water, or the surface was disturbed, it 

 would be more likely to account for the assembly 

 than the calling of the names or the ringing of the 

 bell, and I am a little sceptical as to whether this 

 may not have been the case. If fish do hear what 

 passes on the bank they certainly do not heed it, and, 

 timid as they are, I have never known them take the 

 slightest notice of shouting, whistling, or any other 

 noise ; nor would I hesitate to allow a school-feast, an 

 Eisteddfod, or a monster concert to take place within 

 earshot of the pool I was fishing, if I could be certain 

 that none of the assembled crowds would approach 

 near enough to cast a shadow on the surface of the 

 stream, or risk the danger to himself and the incon- 

 venience to me, of my hook, while I was casting, 

 lodging itself in some portion of his person or gar- 

 ments. . 



But if a man who stands upon the brink 

 But lift a shining hand against the sun, 

 There is not left the twinkle of a fin. 



With this corroboration of his views on the sense 



