THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 301 



and, strange enough, all three manufac- 

 tured within a hundred yards of each 

 other — in Bell-yard, Fleet-street. Of 

 the three, I certainly preferred my own, 

 although the others were as near perfec- 

 tion as possible ; but much depends upon 

 fancy as well as use. However, the 

 three makers are so well known, and 

 their superiority so universally acknow- 

 ledged, that it would be difficult to award 

 the palm to any one in particular ; but 

 for choice give me Bowness. There is, 

 generally speaking, more elasticity and 

 equality of play in his rods than any others 

 I ever met with ; and I have witnessed fewer 

 accidents, in the way of breakage, with 

 his articles than those by any other maker. 

 I have fished with his rods for years, and 

 am bound, in justice, to testify to his merit 

 as a maker of fly-rods. 



We commenced operations towards the 

 end of April, and met with tolerable sue- 



