107 



of contempt, when we see or hear of Londoners going 

 from town on Saturday night, with rods and bags innu- 

 merable, to fish on Sunday, from Battersea upwards, 

 even as far as Staines, Windsor, &:c. ; and those who do 

 not know better, join in a hearty laugh at the Cockmes, 

 as they embark to occupy their favourite stations. 



But die joke does not hold good; for after having thrown 

 my line into many waters, from the South to nearly the 

 Ultimate Thule of Britain, I can aver with safety, that, 

 on the whole, the Londoners were by for the most skil- 

 ful, as well as the most patient, and least addicted to 

 vanity. Indeed, I have been very much surprised to see 

 very bad anglers inhabiting the borders of the finest 

 livers. Their methods, their selection of baits, their 

 haunts, and their tackle, wer-e all bad alike. 



On the contrary, the Cockney, as he is facetiously 

 termed, is better acquainted with the waters he frequents, 

 has excellent baits, which are procured in the highest 

 order at the several shops where his tackle is obtained ; 

 which is also of die very first quality. I once resided on the 

 fcanks of the Thames, near Walton, and have frequently 

 had occasion to observe, that ail the weekly visitors were 

 men well acquainted with trout-fishing in particular : 

 they used to catch a good number, which, in my humble 

 opinion, was not a lad sign. 



it must not be unnoticed, that the same stream, or 

 other water, will assume various appearances, according 

 to the season of the year, and to the general state of wea- 

 ther during such seasons. 



The waters which from January to April may appear 



full and rapid, often dwindle to insignificant brooks when 



the thaws are over, But (as already stated under this 



r.a head) 



