112 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



CHAP. XXVII. 

 THE RIVER LEA AND FISHERY DESCRIBED. 



THE river Lea takes its rise in Bedfordshire, 

 and is navigable from the county town of 

 Hertford to Blackwall and Limehouse, a dis- 

 tance of thirty miles, where it empties itself 

 into the Thames, near to London ; this river, 

 though but a small stream when compared 

 with the Thames, deserves the admiration of 

 the natural philosopher, and the lover of an- 

 gling, for the beauty of the surrounding coun- 

 try, and the valuable fish it contains ; the 

 valley through which it flows, for many 

 miles, is most delightfully picturesque ; the 

 towns, villages, and seats on the west, the 

 forest scenery and bold hills on the east, are 

 not surpassed by any I am acquainted with : 

 The historian, and lover of antiquities, will 

 here find something worthy of investigation. 



