io8 ON SURREY HILLS. 



mill-pool. He will weigh a good pound and a half: 

 there are many, to our knowledge, in this very pool 

 that would scale over two pounds ; but these very 

 ancient individuals are most careful, and are well 

 acquainted with the wily and deceitful ways of those 

 who fish for them. From half a pound to a pound is 

 the nicest size for table purposes. After catching a 

 couple more, about half a pound each, we leave the 

 mill-pool, and cross the wooden bridge that spans 

 the stream where it empties itself into the Mole. 



Would that I could do justice to that bit of water ! 

 Picture to yourself shallows and quiet holes under 

 the banks, the moss-grown stones visible through 

 the clear water. Here and there are sandy spaces 

 where the gudgeon swim to and fro, coming to their 

 stronghold in the hole under the roots of the old 

 willow. The trees on both sides of the stream are 

 like the elms at the back of the mill, fine-grown trees. 



The elms are the beginning of the trees that stand 

 on each side of the sparkling water. Oaks, elms, 

 ash - trees, and willows, intermingled, shade the 

 stream without closing it in, so that there is good 

 fishing room. 



A dozen or so of gudgeon will be all we care 



