267 



sime manner as for mackerel ; observing, that die whit* 

 Ing is tar more choice in regard to the bait, which must 

 be very fresh liver, good worms, gentles, or a piece of 

 any whitejish. 



You should be careful not to take them under six 

 inches in length, at least while within the district of the 

 Thames or Medway 5 it being contrary to law, and sub- 

 jecting you to informations, which will prove very trouble- 

 some, and not less expensive. 



I have before cautioned you ( ' always to consider your? 

 self attended by spies ;" there being persons every where, 

 who get their livelihood solely by lodging informations ! 



Of the Herring. 



Though tliis fish is rarely taken with the hook, being 

 principally caught in very extensive nets, yet it will not 

 refuse a bait, as many experience who now and then 

 hook a stray herring, after the shoals have been thinned 

 and dispersed by the fishermen, and by the dog-fish. 



The herring will take almost any bait, being extremely 

 ravenous, on account of the scarcity of provision natu- 

 rally attendant upon so large an accumulation of these 

 greedy de voure rs . 



It is not easy to instruct how to angle for them j the 

 fact is, that when taken it is quite a matter of chance, and 

 generally forms a part of the sport while fishing for whit- 

 ings late in the season -, for the herrings very rarely visit 

 our northern coa^ before June, when they are full of 

 roe, and they do not come southward until much later in 

 the year. 



If, however, you find them come In any j roportion to 



your bait,, it would be in favour of your sport, were yo i 



N2 to 



