OR WALTONIAN CHRONICLE. 21 



mouthed, and, if well hooked, rarely get off. No. 9 

 or 10 hook is a good size to take these fish with. 



Many dozen Gudgeons are taken daily during the sea- 

 son in the Lea and Thames ; in the latter river by means 

 of a punt, which can be obtained at any of the villages 

 on the banks of that river, but more particularly about 

 Twickenham/Teddington, Kingston, Ditton, Hampton, 

 Shepperton, and so on to Staines. In the Lea they 

 are taken from the banks, large rakes being kept at 

 the subscription houses for the accommodation of the 

 anglers. A rake is indispensibly necessary in angling 

 for these fish, which must be used every quarter of an 

 hour. 1 have been greatly amused in witnessing the 

 swarms of boys perched upon the rails of the New 

 River, near Sadler's Wells, and at the various arches 

 on that river near Islington. There twenty in a row 

 are as intent as the most experienced angler, occasion- 

 ally catching a little fish, when he is instantly 

 surrounded by his associates, who are loud in their 

 praise of his dexterity. 



At the tackle shops, near the above place, willow 

 wands are sold for the use of these young Piscators. 

 Equipped with a penny float and hair line, a farthing 

 rod and halfpennyworth of blood-worms, he feels quite 

 as proud and is as happy as the lordling who may 

 have paid pounds to Martin Kelly for Irish hooks and 

 Irish tackle, particularly if he is lucky enough to 

 possess ajar or can to keep his fish alive in. (See 

 Frontispiece.) 



This place is the nursery for London Anglers, in 



B2 



