5 o BRITISH SPORTING FISHES. 



slaughter that ensued was great. That long 

 summer evening was a memorable one, and 

 in weight it proved the best fishing of a life- 

 time. The larger fish fought pluckily, but as 

 there was no method in their madness, they were 

 pulled in one by one. Yet what is the " play " of 

 a hundredweight of coarse rudd to that of a 

 ten-pound salmon fresh run from the sea ? But 

 are not comparisons odious ? A long day in the 

 old slimy punt has its quiet joys as well as one 

 after salmon and trout ; and then each can be 

 indulged in when the other is prohibited. 



