240 AN ANGLER'S HOURS xiv 



weight of significance to the evidence of the 

 Americanisation of London ; there are rain- 

 bow trout also in the Serpentine. But while 

 we view with pleasure the presence of rainbow 

 trout in our lakes, we do not fish for them, 

 and if we did we could not call it trout- 

 fishing. Trout-fishing is too idyllic a thing 

 to be imaginable within sight or sound of 

 the great city. When my friend spoke his 

 brave words he meant it, of course, to be 

 understood that the trout-fishing in question 

 was to be situate in a lovely valley ; the 

 meandering stream was to flow through lush 

 pastures over a bed of golden gravel, with 

 ancient willows shading its deeper pools 

 from the noontide glare ; wide -spreading 

 oaks were to stand sentinel over the peaceful 

 scene (not so near to the water as to cause 

 risk to flies) ; the brook it was to be 

 little more was to contain nothing but 

 trout and good trout food ; and lastly, there 

 was to be no sight or sound of human 

 industry or pleasure, save one thatched and 

 timbered cottage set away in a bower of roses 

 by the lane, where the keeper was to dwell 

 and give the angler tea at four of the clock. 

 It is only fair to mention these things, lest 



