CARP-GOSSIP. 163 



the Zoological Society, a carp that had been netted 

 in a piece of water called the Mere, at Pain's-hill, in 

 Surrey. This specimen weighed 22 Ibs., and was in 

 length 30 inches, being in girth, taken at the com- 

 mencement of the dorsal fin, 24 inches. It belonged 

 to the well-known naturalist and angler Edward 

 Jesse, Esq., by whose permission it was exhibited. 

 Mr. Yarrell observed to the meeting, that " he could 

 find no record of any carp so large having before been 

 taken in this country."* 



A curious purpose for a carp to be applied to is 

 mentioned in the manuscript diary of one Bonnivert, 

 a French Protestant officer in the service of King 

 William III., that the writer once edited for an Irish 

 archaeological journal. Bonnivert was one of a de- 

 tachment of dragoons employed in guarding treasure 

 011 its way from London to Ireland, in 1690 ; and he 

 says : 



" Within three miles of Naruptwich is a very fine house 

 belonging to Sir Thomas Delft, with a very fine pool full of 

 all wild fowls. You may take notice of a carp, that was taken 

 here, three-quarters of a yard and odd inches long, which is set 

 up as a weather-cock at the top of the house." 



The writer was one of a party who disposed of a 

 carp of about the same size in a much more sensible 

 manner at least, as they thought by cooking it ac- 

 cording to the directions given by the venerable Izaak 

 Walton. Knowing well that culinary instructions 

 * Proceedings of tlie Zoological Society of London, Nov. 22, 1836. 



