CLEVELAND HALL. 55 



son, and although his face shewed some symptoms 

 of good living, it was clear that the ale he brewed 

 had not done him any injury. 



After strolling about the park for some time, 

 accompanied by the blood-hounds, spaniels and bea- 

 gles, who made the woods re-echo with their con- 

 trasted notes, as they hit upon the scent of a hare 

 or rabbit, we met with John Porter at one of the 

 fish ponds in the park, where we enjoyed an excel- 

 lent hour's trolling. Pike appears to be a fish 

 almost indigenous in Staffordshire ; and Plot, in 

 his history of that county, mentions them as hav- 

 ing been caught of a great size. I shall soon have 

 an opportunity of confirming his statement in this 

 respect, and of laying before my readers what I 

 consider the best method of taking them. In the 

 meantime we hurried away to prepare for an early 

 dinner. Our party was encreased by the company of 

 Sir Haggerstone Leigh, and the vicar of the parish. 

 It is difficult to describe the former, and this is 

 one of the most provoking disadvantages an author 

 labours under. He can bring an extraordinary 

 figure before his own fancy, but cannot always suc- 

 ceed in making others see it in the same point of 

 view, I will, however, do my best to describe Sir 

 Haggerstone. The reader must imagine a very 

 tall, thin, upright figure, with clothes hanging 

 loosely about him, his hair abundantly powdered, 

 and a cue sticking out generally behind his ear, 



