THE SWAN. 11 



skin, but modern practice only sanctions its use as a 

 defence against rheumatic affections ; in fact, the only 

 worth of the very few wild swans which reach a 

 market, consists in their skins. 



In December, 1831, in consequence of the dense 

 fog which prevailed, a flock of swans came down the 

 Thames from the direction of Richmond, passing the 

 different bridges : two were taken at Bankside ; five 

 of the party sailed into St. Katharine's Dock, and 

 were there captured ; the eighth reached Limehouse, 

 and was also made prisoner. The poor birds readily 

 suffered themselves to be taken. 



It is generally known to be felony, to steal swans 

 that are private property. Could the following 

 poetical anecdote by Mr. Hay ley, to be found in 

 " Daniel's Rural Sports," be taken as a fact, the 

 swan would rival the goose in its affectionate attach- 

 ment to human nature. Mr. Hayley, in a pleasing 

 copy of verses, describes the swan as saving the life 

 of an infant which had fallen into the water, by 

 taking it upon its back, as it had been accustomed to 

 do with its own children, and carrying it triumphantly 

 between the walls of its uplifted wings, and restoring 

 the precious boon to its at once distracted and de- 

 lighted mother. . 



B 6 



