THOMAS ANDREW KNIGHT, ESQ. 21 



at Elton or Downton Castle, for the purpose of enjoying his 

 favourite amusement of fly-fishing. These days he commemo- 

 rates in the following passage of his " Salmonia" : 



Day 8tk. Scene, Downton. 



" Halietus : I do not think, as the day advances, there will be 

 any deficiency of light, and I shall not be sorry for this, as it 

 will enable you to see the grounds of Downton, and the dis- 

 tances in the landscape, to more advantage. 



" Poietes : This spot is really very fine ; the fall of water 

 the picturesque mill the abrupt cliff, and the bank covered 

 with noble oaks above the river, compose a scene such as I have 

 rarely beheld in this island. 



" Halietus : We will wander a little longer through the walks. 

 There you will enter a subterraneous passage in the rock beyond 

 the mossy grotto. Behold the castle or mansion-house, clothed 

 in beautiful vegetation of which the red creeper is most distinct, 

 rises above on the hill ! After we have finished our walk and our 

 fishing, I will, if you please, take you to the house, and intro- 

 duce you to the worthy master, whom to know is to love, and 

 to whom all good anglers should be grateful, and who has a 

 stronger claim to a more extensive gratitude that of his 

 country and of society by his scientific researches on vegetable 

 nature, which are not merely curious but useful, and which 

 have already led to great improvements in our fruits and plants, 

 and generally extended the popularity of horticulture." 



The following letters contain allusions to some of these visits, 

 which were a source of so much gratification to Mr. Knight, 

 that it is hoped no apology will be required for thus preserving 

 a memorial of them : 



" Royal Institution, August 25, 1808. 



" MY DEAR SIR : 



16 1 have just sent your excellent paper on the functions of 

 the alburnum to press. Do you wish for any extra copies ? 

 Our society will expect with anxiety a continuation of your 

 important researches ; and I trust we shall have a paper from 



