THE TROUT. 21 



and happy as a dog could look. Its position was 

 always against the door-post, and I never saw it 

 move at the entrance or departure of any one. I 

 always considered it as a sort of philosophical ani- 

 mal, which passed its life in the study and con- 

 templation of the many human beings who saun- 

 tered past that much frequented spot. No one 

 ever thought of disturbing it, and even those of its 

 own species passed by without taking the liberty 

 of either snuffing or growling at this privileged 

 ppt. Its long dignified ears, its solemn look, and 

 appearance of deep thought, may account for the 

 deference paid it. 



I cannot dismiss this notice of the Bell Inn, 

 without observing the comfort and cleanliness which 

 is to be found there, or the prettiness of the only 

 daughter and heiress of this place of good enter- 

 tainment. The hostess has brought up her daughter 

 with the greatest propriety and decorum, and it is 

 easy to see that she has never been subjected to 

 the ill-timed jests of a passing customer. The 

 anglers who frequent the house are staid and de- 

 corous in their manners, as all honest anglers are ; 

 and their ambition seems to be that of perpetuating 

 their exploits on the walls of the inn. 



I must also mention the snug inn at Shepperton, 

 near the Church, as a good fishing station. Here 

 may also be found some curious accounts of trout 

 taken with a single gut. Many other places are 



