CHAP. xvii. ] THE FIFTH DAY. 1 89 



not but that it may be as good for a river Carp, and especially if 

 the ground be a little baited with it. 



And you may also note, that the SPAWN * of most fish is a very 

 tempting bait, being a little hardened on a warm tile and cut into 

 fit pieces. Nay, mulberries, and those blackberries which grow 

 upon briers, be good baits for Chubs or Carps : with these many- 

 have been taken in ponds, and in some rivers where such trees 

 have grown near the water, and the fruit customarily dropt into 

 it. And there be a hundred other baits, more than can be well 

 named, which, by constant baiting the water, will become a 

 tempting bait for any fish in it. 



You are also to know, that there be divers kinds of CADIS, 

 or Case-worms, that are to be found in this nation, in several 

 distinct counties, and in several little brooks that relate to bigger 

 rivers ; as, namely, one cadis called a piper t whose husk, or case, 



* Barker recommends the spawn of Salmon or Trout to his patron in the following 

 terms : 



" NOBLE LORD, I have found an experience of late, which you may angle with, and 

 take great store of this kind of fish. First, it is the best bait for a Trout that I have seen 

 in all my time ; and will take great store, and not fail, if they be there. Secondly, it is 

 a special bait for Dace or Dare, good for Chub or Bottlin, or Grayling. The bait is, the 

 ROE OF A SALMON OR TROUT. If it be a large Trout that the spawns be anything great, 

 you may angle for the Trout with this bait as you angle with the brandling ; taking a 

 pair of scissors, and cut so much as a large hazel-nut, and bait your hook ; so fall to 

 your sport, there is no doubt of pleasure. If I had known it but twenty years ago, I 

 would have gained a hundred pounds only with that bait. I am bound in duty to divulge 

 it to your honour, and not to carry it to my grave with me. I do desire that men of quality 

 should have it, that delight in that pleasure. The greedy angler will murmur at me, but 

 for that I care not. For the angling of the Scale-fish : They must angle either with 

 cork or quill, plumming their ground ; and with feeding with the same bait, taking them 

 [the spawns] asunder, that they may spread abroad, that the fish may feed, and come 

 to your place ; there is no doubt of pleasure, angling with fine tackle ; as single-hair lines, 

 at least five or six length long ; a small hook, with two or three spawns. The bait will 

 hold one week : if you keep it on any longer, you must hang it up to dry a little ; when 

 you go to your pleasure again, put the bait in a little water, it will come in kind again." 



Others, to preserve Salmon spawn, sprinkle it with salt, and lay it upon wool in a pot, 

 one layer of wool, and another of spawn. It is said to be a killing bait for the winter or 

 spring ; especially where Salmon are used to spawn ; for thither the fish gather, and 

 there expect it. Cheethanis Angler's Vade Mecum, 53, ed. 1700. 



The inhabitants of the villages on the banks of the Thames adopt the following 

 method of dressing large Roach and Dace, which, as 'tis said, renders them very plea- 

 sant and savoury food ; without scaling the fish, lay him on a gridiron, over a slow fire, 

 and strew on him a little flour ; when he begins to grow brown, make a slit, not more 

 than skin-deep, in his back, from head to tail, and lay him on again : when he is broiled 

 enough, the skin, scales and all, will peel off, and leave the flesh, which will have become 

 very firm, perfectly clean ; then open the belly, and take out the inside, and use anchovy 

 and butter for sauce. 



Having promised the reader Mr Barker's recipe for anointing boots and shoes (and 

 having no further occasion to make use of his authority), it is here given in his own 

 words : 



" Take a pint of linseed oil, with half a pound of mutton suet, six or eight ounces of 

 bees- wax, and half a pennyworth of rosin : boil all this in a pipkin together; so let it 

 cool till it be milk-warm ; then take a little hair-brush, and lay it on your new boots ; 

 but it is best that this stuff be laid on before the bootmaker makes the boots ; then brush 

 them once over after they come from him : as for old boots, you must lay it on when 

 your boots be dry." H. 



t The Piper-cadis is supposed to be the largest of the tribe : it is found in rivers run- 



