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Company. One or two of these, supplied to me originally direct 

 from the company, have seen service from time to time for at least 

 fourteen years, and they appear to be still as strong as ever in 

 fact, almost unbreakable. These lines were what is called, I 

 believe, " cable laid." Bulk for bulk, in fact their strength and 

 durability are unequalled by any lines I ever had of silk dressed 

 or undressed of which latter, by the way, some very beautiful 

 specimens, made of pure and undyed natural silk, are now 

 obtainable. Of the plated hemp lines issued by the same com- 

 pany nothing favourable can with truth be said ; and none of the 

 dressings (tar, indiaiubber, &c.) that were forwarded to me for 

 trial, either of plated or twisted lines, properly effected their 

 object, or, if they did so temporarily, my experience is that they 

 would not stand. 



The silk line, on the other hand, is capable, as everyone knows, 

 of taking a perfect and fairly durable varnish or oil dressing, and 

 in addition to its quality of " weightiness," which when regarded 

 from the theoretical standpoint above referred to may be con- 

 sidered by many as of paramount importance possesses, or 

 ought to possess when properly prepared, a smoothness and 

 polish diminishing notably the friction caused by passing through 

 the rod-rings. 



Supposing it to be assumed, then, for the sake of argument, 

 that on a balance of advantages and disadvantages, the trout- 

 fisher as well as the salmon-fisher should give his support to silk- 

 dressed lines, which, after all, last quite long enough and can be 

 made quite strong enough for all practical purposes, the next ques- 

 tion in regard to which, also, I have found considerable divergence 

 of opinion is : Shall the line be level or tapered ? I have met 

 with some excellent fly-fishers, and men, too, who could give a 

 " reason for the faith which was in them," who maintained 

 exactly opposite opinions on the subject of * level ' or ' taper,' and 

 supported their respective views not only by strong argument, 



