148 ENGLISH RIVER SCENERY. [CHAP. iv. 



occasion of draining one of his ponds, a supply of fish weighing 

 five thousand pounds was taken out ; and for good carp it 

 would be no exaggeration to say that sixpence per pound 

 weight could easily be obtained, which, for a quantity like 

 that of this Saxon gentleman, would amount to a sum of 

 125 sterling. Now, I have the authority of an eminent fish- 

 salesman for stating that ten times the quantity here indicated 

 could be disposed of among the Jews and Catholics of London 

 in a week, and, could a regular supply be obtained, an unlimited 

 quantity might be sold. 



I have been writing about Highland streams and northern 

 lochs ; but the river scenery of England is, in its way, equally 

 beautiful, and no river is more charming than the Thames. 

 It is a classic stream, and its praises have been sung by the 

 poets and celebrated by the historian. After Mrs. S. C. Hall 

 and Thome, it were vain to repeat its praises : 



" Glide gently, thus for ever glide, 

 Thames ! that anglers all may see 

 As lovely visions by thy side, 

 As now, fair river, come to me. 

 Oh, glide, fair stream, for ever so 

 Thy quiet soul on all bestowing, 

 Till all our minds for ever flow 

 As thy deep waters are now flowing." 



The Thames takes its rise in Gloucestershire, about three 

 miles from the town of Cirencester ; and at that place, and for 

 some miles of its course, it is known as the Isis, and not till 

 the waters of the Thame join it in Oxfordshire is it known as 

 the Thames. This celebrated river is small at first, and flows 

 through some beautiful scenery and highly-cultivated country ; 

 its banks are studded with castles and palaces, beautiful towns 

 and snug villages ; while well-stored gardens and cultivated 

 fields give smiling evidence of plenty all along its course. 

 "When we consider that the Thames flows past Windsor, 



