140 THE RECTOR'S POOL. 



Herb. And is its contiguity to the rector's 

 house the only reason for the name you assign to 

 this pool; or are we indebted to the rector for 

 permission to fish here without danger of the 

 lock-up ? 



Theoph. Your first bolt was nearer the mark ; 

 and I know no other reason for its name, save, 

 that it is as bountiful and generous, in fit and 

 proper seasons, as the worthy rector himself. We 

 are free to fish it, the property around belonging to 

 my Lord Willoughby d'Eresby. It is a good pool 

 for fish, when there is plenty of wind " the blue 

 wave to curl ;" and this you may bear in mind, 

 with respect to all pools, that you may spare 

 yourself the labour of throwing on them, unless 

 there be a good ripple, or else a good fresh water. 



Herb. Let me understand your definition of 

 a pool. 



Theoph. I make this distinction of waters in 

 reference to salmon-fishing. A pool is a long, 

 deep, and broad part of the waters, with very 

 little rapidity of motion, comparatively still : a 

 stream is moderately swift, yet deep ; a rapid is 

 still more swift or rushing, and sometimes not 

 above five or six feet deep ; and a shallow may 

 speak for itself, since it is of no use to us as 

 salmon-fishers. The breeze is with us this morn- 

 ing ; so I shall just try here before I do anything 

 with you, as you would only frighten the fish on 



