92 WITH THE WOODLANDERS. 



long ago, but all those who think to alter old farm- 

 steads to suit the present day and its requirements 

 will be deceived or disappointed. That is the reason 

 so many of them have been pulled down. They 

 have given place to other buildings constructed on 

 modern principles, not so picturesque, but infinitely 

 more fitted for their purpose. 



I remember well how, years ago, the farmer's 

 lads would saunter down from the farm to the 

 bridge, and look over the low white rails, appar- 

 ently at nothing ; then one would produce from his 

 pocket a line, which he would wind round his hand, 

 a thin water-cord line it was. As they only had lei- 

 sure late in the summer evenings, it would be a sort 

 of night-fishing they went in for. About a foot from 

 the hook a good perch-hook on stout gut a float 

 was fixed. This was made of a piece of willow with 

 the bark on it three inches long, the ends stained 

 to take off the staring light colour of the wood. 

 The line was tied exactly on the middle of this, 

 two notches being cut for that purpose. A good 

 big worm was fixed on the hook, and all was ready. 

 The lad would let the line rapidly off his hand into 

 the sharp stream, and the worm, held up by the 



