12 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



ment, my attempts in this way became rather numerous, 

 and at the repeated solicitations of my friends, I have 

 ventured to publish them but hope the reader will not 

 be too severe in his criticism, as they were written 

 hastily, in what few moments I had to spare, at the 

 conclusion of my daily avocation. 



BOBBERS' LAW. 



There is rule or law practised by the London Anglers, parti- 

 cularly those who fish in the Lea, which is that of waiting for any 

 of their party that may drop in the rear, it arose from the follow- 

 ing circumstance : 



Some years since several Anglers were proceeding on a trolling 

 excursion to a favourite spot at some distance fiom London, up 

 the Lea river, when it happened that one of them, without being 

 observed by the rest, loitered behind, and his absence was not 

 discovered till they had travelled a considerable way ; they 

 waited in hopes their companion would overtake them, but his 

 not coming up, they hallooM and called him by name, but 

 received no answer, alarmed for his safety, they retraced their 

 steps, when to their utter astonishment and horror, they found 

 him quite dead, with his throat cut from ear to ear, and robbed 

 of every thing he possessed ; it is supposed he staid behind for a 

 natural purpose, and was attacked and murdered while in a defence- 

 less position. Since this lamentable occurrence, if an Angler 

 has occasion to stop, he has only to call out the word, " Law," 

 and the whole party wait till it is convenient to continue the 

 journey. 



