A DAY ON THE TEME 73 



" Physician. Are we to fish according to any 

 rule as to quantity or size of fish ? 



" Halieus. You are at perfect liberty to fish 

 as you please, but as it is possible you may 

 catch grayling only of this year, and which are 

 not longer than the hand, I conclude you will 

 return such pigmies to the river." 



Then follows a long dissertation on the nature, 

 anatomy, and habits of the grayling. 



I have frequently fished in the Teme above 

 Leintwardine, and also below Ludlow, and it 

 was on just such a day as described below by 

 Poietes, though earlier in the season, that I had 

 a day's fishing, not many miles away from the 

 lovely scenery here described by Sir Humphry 

 Davy: 



" Poietes. This is a beautiful day, and I think 

 for fishing, as well as for the enjoyment of the 

 scenery, finer than yesterday. The wind blows 

 from the south, and is balmy; and though a 

 few clouds are collecting they are not sufficiently 

 dense to exclude the warmth of the sun, and, as 

 honest fishermen, we ought to prefer his warmth 

 to his light. 



" Halieus. 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 distances 

 in the landscape to more advantage. . . . 



"Poietes. This spot is really very fine. The 



