76 THE THAMES. 



having been the site of a Roman Station of great extent and 

 consequence ; its high and palmy state was during the seventh 

 century ; the old abbey is still remarkable for its length and 

 architectural features. Passing Shillingford Bridge we come 

 to the noted Pike-fishing station of 



WALLINGFORD. 



This town can boast of its antiquity and its ancient im- 

 portance ; in the Castle of Wallingford William I. before 

 proceeding to London after the battle of Hastings received 

 the homage of the Archbishop of Canterbury and others. It 

 was to Wallingford Castle that Matilda fled during the long 

 struggle between the Empress-queen and Stephen. The castle 

 was last garrisoned during the great Civil War, when it was 

 taken by Fairfax and demolished. From Wallingford Lock 

 we follow the river past Streatly and Goring to Whitchurch 

 and 



PANGBOURNE, 



where it is joined by the Pang which contains some very fair 

 Trout and Perch ; there is also some capital fishing in the 

 main river. The fisherman here is Champ, and the Inns, the 

 Elephant and Castle, and the George. There are some good 

 Trout at the weir at Maple-durham, but it requires careful 

 fishing. The scenery is very beautiful past Purley to 



CAVERSHAM, 



where there is a splendid stretch of water, but what with the 

 netting and the influx of fishermen from London, via Reading 

 (which has the advantage of three railways) the angler must 

 not expect a very large take, the fishermen here are Freebody 

 and Piper, and the Inns the White Hart, the Railway Hotel, 

 <kc. Some good fish may occasionally be taken in the Kennet 

 which joins the Thames between Caversham and Sonning, 

 at this latter place are some large Barbel and Roach. The 

 fisherman is Bromley. Below this at Shiplake Lock it is 

 joined by the Lodden and both at Shiplake and Wargrave 

 there is good jack- water, heavy beds of rushes and weeds that 

 it is almost impossible to net. 



