FISHING AT HOME AND ABROAD 

 a Thames punt cut across the middle; yet in these frail craft you are navi- 

 gated among boulders, to touch one of which would mean a capsize into 

 a foaming torrent, and down rapids with the waves leaping high above 

 the gunwale. And this without rowlocks: only a frail withy looping each 

 oar to a single wooden pin. Verily it makes one catch his breath to gaze 

 upon the rapid below the Storr pool and reflect that, during my visit, 

 Mr Biert was taken through it by a fish, and was still afloat when he 

 reached the smooth water. The fish weighed 37^ lb. 



Ah ! those days of yore in Norway, what bright gleams they reflect from 

 the past, and how hard it is to put a check upon yarning about them. 

 The people are so charming — ^like Lowland Scots plus good manners — 

 and so rigidly honest withal that one is absolved from the obligation to 

 check bills rendered; just as well, perhaps, else there might be some 

 difficulty in identifying familiar articles of male attire in a week's account 

 for washing described as follows on a scrap of paper two inches square: 



4 pr stroinper 28 



2 Manskjetsjorter 56 



lUldsjorte 20 



IBukse 20 



3 Snipper 21 



3 Slips 21 



10 Lomtorkleder 70 



Kr 2.36 



It is a silly thing to make fun at a foreign language; but it is permissible 

 to smile when foreigners make use of our speech to advertise the attrac- 

 tions of their country. I may give Herr Didrik Maan a gratuitous adver- 

 tisement by reprinting his announcement from a Norwegian paper: 



LOOK HER ! SALMON ! 



The honourable travellers are averted to, 

 that undersigned, who lives in Fjorde pr. Vol- 

 den Romsdals county, Norway, short or 

 long time, hires out a good Salmonriver. 

 Good lodging finds. 



Didrik Maan 

 shopkeeper. 



50 



