IN THE TEST. 117 



appearance. Nothing could then exceed the ani- 

 mation of the scene. Fish were feeding in every 

 direction, and the beautiful fly ascended and sported 

 about in the full enjoyment of its new existence. 

 Swallows no longer skimmed the meadows, but a 

 numerous assemblage of them darted up and down 

 and across the river. They were joined by wagtails 

 and other birds of the fly-catcher tribe, and all 

 preyed on the interesting and beautiful insects. The 

 day was warm, and the sun shone brightly, and our 

 attendant at last hinted that we should have no suc- 

 cess as long as even the shadow of our rods was 

 seen on the water, which was as clear as crystal. 

 Subsequent experience has proved to me that he 

 was right, and I am convinced that a fish will sel- 

 dom be taken in the Test with an artificial fly 

 when the sun is bright and the water clear and still. 

 I dislike a blow-line, because I think it an illegiti- 

 mate and unsportsmanlike way of catching fish. As 

 however we depended on our piscatory success for 

 a part of our early dinner, these lines were put in 

 requisition, and we caught two tolerably sized 

 trout which we killed and crimped, and then des- 

 patched Tom with them to our inn. I now beg to 

 inform all those who may come to the Test for the 

 first time (for the clubs are well acquainted with the 

 circumstance), that a trout caught in that river, and 

 crimped and dressed half an hour after it has been 

 killed, is not only delicious, but far surpasses in 



