20 THAMES FISHING. 



row of high trees, across the river, and which were 

 fringed with fishing lines and flies, he saw a poor 

 bird hang by the beak. It had taken one of the 

 artificial flies, and it hung in a small cavity between 

 the branches. There was no way of getting at it 

 except walking through the river, and procuring 

 a high ladder. Being very anxious to set the bird 

 free, he threw his fly across the river into the 

 cavity, hooked the line, and freed the bird. 



It is now time to return to the subject of Thames 

 angling, and in throwing out hints to those who 

 may be inclined to partake of its amusements, I 

 would recommend Hampton as a good and cen- 

 trical place for an angler. Its weir, with those of 

 Sunbury, and Teddington, are at no great distance, 

 and if these do not produce sport, it may generally 

 be had at Shepperton. Indeed I like Hampton, 

 not only from its being a good fishing station, and 

 a pretty and well situated village, but from the 

 civility, and I may add kind disposition of its in- 

 habitants. I should be wanting in gratitude if I 

 omitted to make this avowal. 



I have already mentioned the Bell Inn. Those 

 who are well acquainted with it, must well remem- 

 ber its good-humoured, obliging, and portly land- 

 lady, arid also the fat and lazy black-and-tan 

 spaniel of King Charles' breed, which might almost 

 always be seen reclining at the door- way, with its 

 paws hanging over the step, looking as contented 



