100 LAKES, PONDS, &C. 



CHAPTER V. 



LAKES, PONDS, &C. 



Wimbledon Park. The lake in this park contains some 

 very large Pike, Perch, &c., and is strictly preserved ; per- 

 mission to fish is required, and may generally be obtained by 

 writing to the owner. 



Osterly Park, near Ealing. In the grounds is a large 

 lake abounding with large fish, &c. Hofland mentions the 

 circumstance of a Pike weighing over forty pounds being 

 found dead at the side of the lake. It had gorged the head 

 and neck of one of the swans, and the body being rather too 

 large, and the swan rather too powerful, this voracious 

 monster was choked. 



Hatfield Park and Brocket Hall. The lakes in these parks, 

 which are ted by the river Lea, contain some splendid Pike 

 and Perch ; permission may generally be obtained by writing 

 to the noble owners. 



Gatton Park y near Reigate, contains a large lake and pond. 

 These hold a considerable number of fine Pike and Perch ; 

 the pond, which is close to the lake, is full of Perch, many of 

 them of very large size. 



Blenheim Park, the seat of the Duke of Marlborough, 

 is a short distance from Oxford, The waters here, which 

 are fed by the river Glym, contain some very large Pike 

 and Perch, but especially the former, which are some- 

 times taken as high as thirty pounds weight. 



Cleveland Hall, in Staffordshire. -The Pike in the lake 

 here are also large. Mr. Jesse, some years since, took one 

 weighing 28 pounds with the spinning-bait. 



Shardloes, near Amersham, in Buckinghamshire, contains a 

 fine piece of water, with plenty of fish. 



Virginia Water and the Great Lake. An order to fish 

 these splendid preserves is rather difficult to obtain. It may 

 perhaps be procured through the Deputy Ranger (Col. Sey- 

 mour), Holly Grove, Windsor Park, but can only be used 

 when the Royal Family is from Windsor. 



