1890. 

 IX. GUDGEON AND A NARROW S&UEAK. 



AT the time of penning these Notes Mr. Hopper is in a 

 very submissive and penitent mood by reason of having 

 caused so much inconvenience and annoyance by re- 

 counting in his last week's Notes a list of the accidents and 

 misfortunes which during his career have befallen him ; but 

 who would have thought that his allusion to them in his angling 

 Notes would have evoked such widespread condolence and 

 practical sympathy as since Wednesday have been manifested 

 towards him! Mr. Hopper, without intending to cast any 

 reflection upon the intelligence of the readers of his Notes, 

 certainly thought they would have read between the lines, and 

 would not have taken literally the language in which he wished 

 to place on record the happening of his somewhat numerous 

 accidents. Of course Mr. Hopper did not wish his readers to 

 conclude that he had actually lost the various limbs and organs 

 which he gave a list of, but he merely intended to convey that 

 he had lost the temporary use thereof. For instance, it is 

 needless to remark that Mr. Hopper has not and never has had 

 eleven right legs to lose. He, through accidents, simply lost 

 the use of his right leg eleven times, and so in like manner with 

 regard to his organs of sight, sense of smell, &c. And now, 

 after this long preface, a word or two of apology about the 

 inconvenience and annoyance caused, Mr. Editor, to your 

 worthy self. Mr. Hopper is deeply grieved to hear from you 

 that ever since Thursday last your business premises have been 

 invaded almost from morn till night with parcel post packages 

 and railway vans leaving ominous looking crates and 

 boxes containing almost everything that human ingenuity 

 could devise or practical sympathy suggest to alleviate and 

 render less terrible to bear the ailments and afflictions to which 

 Mr. Hopper was supposed to be a victim and martyr. It is 

 impossible for Mr. Hopper to acknowledge everything which 



