42 ANGLING LITERATURE OF 



Silver and gold he gart on him give, 

 Wallace inclines, and gtidely took his leave." 



By the way, what curious records of legislation the 

 sumptuary laws appear to us now-a-days, relative to the 

 use of fish, and which were in full force for a long period 

 both in England and in France ! Under the reign of 

 Edward II, certain fish never appeared in England but 

 on the table of the king; they were prohibited to all 

 others. In 1148, Stephen wanted to modify this exclusive 

 right ; but after his death it was again revived, and 

 considered as a royal prerogative. 



In former times there was a remarkable consumption 

 of fish in England on the 4th of July, the festival of St. 

 Ulric. This is mentioned by Barnaby Gouge, in the 

 following lines ; 



ST. HULDYCHE. 



" Wheresoever Huldyche hath a place, the people there bring in 

 Both capes and pykes, and mullets fat, his favour here to win. 

 Amid the Church there sitteth one, and to the aultar nie, 

 That selleth fish, and so good cheep, that every man may huie ; 

 !Nor anything he loseth here, bestowing thus his paine, 

 For when it hath been offered once, 't is brought to him againe, 

 That twise or thrise he selles the same, vngodlinesse such gaine 

 Doth still bring in, and plentiously the kitchen doth maintaine, 

 Whence comes this same religion newe ? What kind of God 



is this ? 14 

 Some Huldyche here, that so desires and so delightes in fishe." 



> 4 The Popish Kingdome, fol. 55. 



