OR WALTON1AN CHRONICLE. 115 



contains many holes, or shops (as they are called) 

 for Jack, and those too of a tolerable size. Upwards 

 towards Waltham Abbey are the works before named, 

 about which there is excellent fishing, and at the bays 

 there are always some good Trout; in fact the fish 

 hereabouts, of every sort, are mostly large, the Barbel 

 and Chub in particular, are enormous. 



The deep, broad piece of water near Cobmead, 

 which is situated opposite to the towing path, between 

 the Armory Mills and Waltham, is a beautiful piece 

 of water, and, from its breadth and magnitude, is 

 certainly the best piece in the whole river, but unfor- 

 tunately for Anglers generally, this favorite place 

 is in the occupation of Government, from below this 

 mill to above the Powder Works at Waltham Abbey. 

 Formerly this piece of water was open, and many an 

 excellent day's sport has been experienced here ; some 

 of the old ones can tell wonders of this spot, it is now 

 strictly preserved ; you may certainly now and then 

 obtain permission from some official person of conse- 

 quence, connected with the Board of Ordnance, but 

 then you are so bothered by an officious little old man 

 called Timmy Bates, that it has become more unplea- 

 sant than otherwise : nevertheless here and about the 

 Powder Works, there is fine fishing, particularly at 

 Newton's pool in the last named works. About a 

 hundred yards above the Powder Mills, the Govern- 

 ment water ends, at a place called Thorogood sluice ; 

 upwards to a white post, a short distance on this side 

 the bay called King's weir, the water belongs to a 



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