108 



the heart of Lancashire, and falls into the Irish 

 Sea at Preston. The tide only flows up in it to 

 this town. It abounds with fine salmon and 

 trout; and the rod -fishing is on the whole 

 respectable. Good stocks of flies, suitable for 

 the waters, are to be had at Preston ; and a few 

 miles beyond the confines of the town, we get 

 to good angling streams. 



The Darwen, and the Savock, are two of the 

 chief tributaries of the Kibble ; and there are a 

 few trout in both of them. 



Spearing for salmon sometimes takes place in 

 the higher parts of the Eibble, at particular 

 seasons of the year, when the water is low and 

 clear, and weather warm. This sport, by torch- 

 light, is attended with jovial festivities. The 

 following song was sung on one of these 

 piscatory gatherings : I 



Here 's a bumper to rod and to spear ! 



A bumper to challenge a song ! 

 A bumper to those, who, where'er the rill flows, 



Are spearing and angling along ! 

 'T is good to be steady and cool ; 



' T is better to dare than to doubt ; 

 ' T is best to keep clear of the snobs in the rear, 



And be always thrown in than thrown out ! 

 I 



* A Parody, we think, made upon a Song in Blackwood. 



