2 FISHES AND FISHING. 



the hedge, within which were a few detached cottages, 

 with small gardens, reached by stepping from one little 

 post or stump, to another ; these stumps were placed at 

 certain distances apart, so that a carriage could pass 

 down the lane with a dexterous, accustomed driver ; 

 to a stranger it appeared wonderful, how easily men, 

 women and children, stepped from one of these little 

 posts to the other, without ever falling into the 

 water. As this stream approached the mansion- 

 house offices, the ground was raised artificially, and 

 the water was conducted in an open brick channel, 

 over gravel, under a small parlour window, but being 

 confined in space, it was consequently deeper, and 

 ran with more velocity, and a rippling sound over its 

 pebbly bed, till it passed under an arch, over which 

 was the large porch of the mansion. A few yards 

 from the house, the stream re-appeared and occupied 

 the middle of the lane, having dwelling-houses, and a 

 continuous pathway on one side, and a long walk 

 shaded with fine lime trees, on the other ; outside of 

 the high walls of the garden of the mansion-house, 

 the water in the middle continued in its course into 

 a creek called Dartford Greek, which fell into the 

 Thames, and at spring tides the water was a good 

 depth, even up to the porch of the house. I am thus 

 particular, for a reason which will be seen hereafter j 

 the trout river which bounded the garden, orchard^ 



