THE CHAR-CHAR FISHING 215 



interesting letter, contained in a paper by John 

 Fell, Esqre., on Home Life in North Lonsdale : 



" Potted char seems even in the eighteenth century to have 

 been much prized, although I fear the seasonable condition 

 of the fish was obscured by the seasoning of the cooks of 

 the period. A curious letter from the Duke of Montagu has 

 been preserved, dated the 27th of January, 1738. Unless char 

 have entirely abandoned their habits at the present date, 

 such fish as the Duke begged for would be in the worst con- 

 dition after spawning. The following is a copy of the Duke 

 of Montagu's letter to Mr. Atkinson, of Dalton : 



' MR. ATKINSON, 



' I received yours of the i of this month, and also the 

 Pott of Charr which you sent by that day's Carrier, which was 

 the best I ever eat, and I would have you send me some of 

 the same sort by every Carryer, take care to Pick the hen 

 fish and those that are of the Red Kind, and let them be 

 potted and seasoned just as that Pot was, for it cant be beter. 



' As I recon it is now the best season for Charr, I would 

 have you send me some fresh ones, directed to my Lord 

 Lovell who is Postmaster Generall, as you did the year 

 before last, which I think was by an express, but these came 

 in a wooden box, which made it to great a weight for the 

 Post to carry conveniently, therefore these shoud be put into 

 some sort of a basket and the fish packed in it in moss 

 or some sort of thing that will keep them from bruzing and 

 not give them a taste. You let me know what day they will 

 be in town that I may give Ld. Lovell notice of it that they 

 may not lye at the Post Office. 



' Let them you send me be well chosen fish, and all of the 

 Red sort. 



' When you have Particulars of the Bloom Smithy Rents 

 you'l send them me. 



* I am, yours, 



' London, Jan. 27, ' MONTAGU. 



