148 LONDON ANGLER'S BOOK, 



merly open water, but now leave must be obtained. 

 I have taken some Roach and Dace, as fine as can be 

 imagined, about 1 Ib. weight. From Southend to 

 Catford Bridge the stream runs rapid, and were it 

 preserved, would be second to none for its excellent 

 Trout. From Catford Bridge, to the back of the 

 church, there is a footpath by the side of the river ; 

 this path has been lately attempted to be stopped up, 

 but without success at present, and I hope it never 

 will, as, independent of its being close to the stream 

 for a considerable distance is a most beautiful walk, 

 by turning off just before you come to Lee's lime-kilns 

 at Loompit Hill, up a narrow walk called Love Lane, 

 there is one of the most beautiful views near London. 

 Sitting on the stile by the tile-kilns, on the left, you 

 have an extensive view of the Thames and shipping, 

 Greenwich Park, and town of Deptford, and up to 

 London itself; but on the right the scene is quite of 

 a different character, extremely beautiful, rural, and 

 picturesque, over a great extent of country, with 

 Lewisham church among the trees, and the river 

 meandering in the valley. Near the church, in the 

 meadows below the bridge, there are some deep holes 

 containing fine Roach. At the late Armory Mills, 

 below Lewisham bridge, in the Plough meadow, Mill 

 pond, and Back water, there are fine Dace, Roach, 

 Perch, &c. and on to the water works ; some good fish 

 are often taken. Altogether, this stream, if left 

 alone, would, from the natural feed and wholesome 

 character of the water, produce the best fish, and 



