BAITS. 231 



the lump of crumb in a loosish ' bag ' formed out of a pocket- 

 handkerchief, draw the hand down the handkerchief until the 

 bread-crumb is lightly pressed upon. Hold the bread, thus 

 enclosed, in the water for a few seconds, then take it out and by 

 twisting the handkerchief tightly squeeze out the superfluous 

 water, squeeze out, in fact, all the water that can be got out ; 

 then take out the sort of pudding which remains and work it a 

 few times between the palms of the hands, which should be 

 clean. This will form a reserve from which small portions can 

 be taken from time to time to be manipulated into the desired 

 consistency as required for use. 



When putting a piece of paste on the hook roll it up between 

 the finger and thumb until it is of a spherical shape, then bury 

 the hook deeply in it and give it a slight squeeze between the 

 finger and thumb ; ' the sum tottle of the whole,' as Hume 

 used to say, being that the point and bend of the hook are 

 entirely covered and all but a very little bit of the shank. 



Some roach fishers prefer to cover the whole of the hook, 

 shank and all, with a pear-shaped piece of paste. This, how- 

 ever, requires some skill, takes somewhat more time, and makes 

 the bait larger. All sorts of unguents and essences have been 

 at one time or another recommended to be mixed with paste 

 for the purpose of giving it a haut-gout. 



All arts, all shapes, the wily angler tries, 



To cloak his fraud, and tempt his finny prize : 



Their sight, their smell, he carefully explores, 



And blends the druggists' and the chymists' stores ; 



Devising still, with fancy ever new, 



Pastes, oils, and unguents, of each scent and hue. 



And in Jones's ' Oppian,' thus : 



A paste in luscious wine the captor steeps 

 Mixed with the balmy tears that Myrrha weeps, 

 Around the trap diffusive fragrance rolls, 

 And calls with certain charms the finny shoals ; 

 They crowd the arch, and soon each joyful swain 

 Finds nor his labour nor his care in vain. 



