ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 229 



of this murky monster is represented a big-bellied 

 bottle, with its accompanying gill-stoup; at the 

 other depends the figure of a huge fly-hook or 

 parrot pad; while immediately over these, along 

 the top of the board, one may discern, painted in 

 big, black characters, " THE FISHER'S TRYST." 



The Fisher's Tryst ! Pity the angler that ventures 

 below its ungracious rafters ! In vain will he look 

 for the rural pleasaunces they so lately overshadowed. 

 Its once tidy furniture is mostly removed, while a 

 couple of deal benches, guarding on either side a 

 coarse, oaken table, occupy instead the principal 

 apartment. The recess beds have both been robbed 

 of their pannellings, and lie exposed in offensive 

 disorder towards the entrance. One chair, halt 

 and maimed, leans its fractured form against the 

 narrow portion of wall by which these are divided, 

 and a mirror (we recognise it as an ancient friend) 

 is suspended directly over its back. Nothing happy 

 may ever look again upon that darkening surface! 



" They cannot smile on't, 

 Who trim their count' nance at its perilous front." 



We turn with a shiver from this reflector of the 

 human face divine the loved things we looked for 



