23 



lay it at the back of your hook, leaving about the fourth 

 part out, pointing upwards, and a trifle higher than the 

 top of die butt. 



This done, proceed to whip on both the gut and the 

 Iristle; the former within, the other at the back of the 

 hook, for about six or seven rounds more of the silk, and 

 then make a half- hitch knot, by which your work will be 

 kept firmly in its place, while with your knife you pare 

 the bristle and the gut both thinner towards their lower 

 points j so that as you whip on towards the bend, they 

 may lay flatter, and render the whipping less heavy in 

 appearance as you proceed. 



When you come within about three rounds of the 

 quantity of whipping requisite to conceal the due quantity 

 of 'gut, which ought never to reach more than half 

 way down the shank of the hook, or, at least, not lower 

 than opposite to the point, make a change in your pro- 

 ceeding, by finishing with the hidden or inverted knot, 

 hereafter explained j taking especial care to draw the se- 

 veral rounds firmly into their places, by compressing them 

 altogether between your finger and thumb, tuniing the 

 hook at the same time with your other hand in the direc- 

 tion of your whipping, so that all is brought smooth and 

 close : next, draw your silk very tight, and cut it away 

 by means of your sharp pen-knife and quill, or on the 

 front edge of your thumb-nail. 



If these directions are implicitly obeyed, the fastening 

 will be firm and neat : a little tar, lightly and evenly 

 applied over the whipping, and left to dry, is of great 

 use, as it effectually keeps the fibres of the silk down, 

 prevents corrosion, and causes the worm to slide on much 



easier 



