THE VALE OF GALA. 51 



by far the best way is to get a good sized cow- 

 horn prepared, and having bunged up the larger 

 end, and made a small hole at the other, large 

 enough to admit your forefinger, fit a cork and 

 attach it to the end, with a bit of string ; having 

 previously perforated the horn with holes, the 

 size that a good oaten straw might enter (the one 

 now before me, made I believe, fifty years ago, 

 for the Eden, has the testamental number of 

 seventy and seven in it) ; through other two holes 

 put a piece of cord, in length so as to hang it 

 round your neck, the whole will be complete and 

 useful for your purposes. To those who fish 

 much, and I have known some who do so 

 nearly the whole year, as you shall hear, the 

 May fly comes as a new thing, in its way, and 

 as it lasts only a fortnight or three weeks, I like 

 to keep to it while I have it, and, therefore, 

 recommend it as a capital relief to those who 

 fish much during the early months with other 

 baits. I remember being in the Highlands 

 on a fishing excursion, and living in the 

 same inn with a gentleman, a very great 

 enthusiast in Ichthyology and the sport ; 

 when sitting over our toddy, after a capital 

 day's work in sea-trouts, along with my friend 



