ANCIENT TACKLE. 283 



Vade Mecum" a copy of which we are pleased to 

 be able to say we have in our possession the follow- 

 ing quaint advertisement appears appended to the 

 preface : 



"At the Sign of the Fish, in Black Horse Alley 

 near Fleet Bridge ', liveth Will Browne, who maketh 

 all sorts of Fishing Rods, and selleth all sorts of 

 Fishing Tackle ; also Charlie Kirby's Hooks, with 

 Worms, Gentles and Fly's ; and also the East India 

 Weed, which is the only thing for Trout, Carp, and 

 Bottom Fishing, first being well soaked for half-an- 

 hour before you use it in water, being of a brittle 

 nature, if not moistened before used, and then proves 

 so strong and fine, of a water-colour, that it deceives 

 the Fish, much more than Hair or Silk. Note That 

 Kirby*s Hooks are known by the fineness of the Wyer 

 and Strength, and many Shops sell Counterfeit for his, 

 which prove prejudicial to the User. The true Kirby's 

 are to be sold by Will Browne and nowhere Else." 



Kirby's hooks, however, have long since been dis- 

 carded, except in perch and such like fishing. 

 Another hook that used to be greatly in vogue was 

 the " Staple-bend." Sprote's, too, have now about 

 gone out. Those in general use at the present day 

 are the Sneck or Kendal, the Limerick, and Carlisle, 

 or round bend ; for eels, the bend known as the 

 " Shepherd's Crook," are greatly used. 



For fine grayling fishing, perhaps, a really strong 

 and delicate hook is more essential than in any other 

 style or system of angling. The grayling is a much 

 more fastidious fish than the trout, and is moreover 



