THE ISIS IN JUNE 219 



upon the upper river, but now disfigured by the works 

 of the new Thames drainage scheme. The tiny lock 

 stream is now a hideous straight cut, to make which 

 the stone coffins of the prioresses were disturbed and 

 displaced. The venerable walls of Rosamond's Bower, 

 covered with thick ivy, are still standing ; but many of 

 the trees are cut down, and the position of the old 

 bridge and inn has lost its meaning by the alteration of 

 the river's course. In time the remains of Godstow will 

 disappear, as those of Osney and the greater part of the 

 castle have also gone. Collegiate Oxford flourishes ; 

 feudal and monastic Oxford seems doomed to neglect. 

 It is strange that, while the buildings of Godstow perish, 

 frailer relics of the nun's occupation remain. The me- 

 dicinal herbs which they planted in the garden still 

 survive in the fields and upon the broken walls. 



In a copse near the ruins I found many nests of the 

 reed-warbler, all placed in the wild hopbine which 

 grows among the willows, and lined with the cottonlike 

 down of some waterside plant. Over the shallow 

 stream below the " Trout " a kingfisher was hovering 

 in mid-air, his wings vibrating and invisible, till he 

 plunged and seized his game. 



In the garden of the inn I began my fishing. I say 

 " in the garden," because it is a maxim among chub- 

 fishers that to take the largest chub you must procure 

 the biggest bumble-bees as bait. I look upon this as 

 the most difficult part of the sport. Chub are not hard 

 to catch, but bumble-bees are. A quick eye and steady 

 hand are not required to catch chub, neither is nerve 



