THE RIVER THAMES. 99. 



tude, and receives the Medway not far from 

 its mouth* 



In describing the river Thames, and the 

 fishery, I shall commence at Staines, a plea- 

 sent market town about seventeen miles west 

 of London ; to which place the jurisdiction of 

 the lord mayor of London over the Thames 

 extends, for the preservation of the river and 

 fish. At this place, and all other parts of the 

 Thames under the above jurisdiction, angling 

 is prohibited from the first of March until the 

 first of June : March, April, and May, are 

 called fence months, during which time all 

 fresh water fish cast their spawn, the Trout 

 excepted (which spawns about October). 

 These months are therefore properly held 

 sacred, that the future fish may not be de- 

 stroyed. 



The principal house at Staines is the Push. 

 Boats may be hired here, and good sport met 

 with in angling near the bridge ; between 



