22 OLD-FASHIONED ANGLING 



any tackle shops, for most elaborate directions are 

 given for making lines. These were to be of horse 

 hair, and twisted in a " twisting instrument," what- 

 ever that was. The hair was to be with the top of 

 one to the tail of the other, so that every part might 

 be equally strong, and turned slowly, so as to allow 

 it " to bed " properly ; the different lengths were to 

 be tied together either " by a water knot, or Dutch 

 knot, or a weaver's." The line was to taper, be- 

 ginning with three hairs down to a single one, 

 where the hook was whipped on. 



The rod, as a matter of the greatest importance, 

 is duly treated. The wood was to be procured be- 

 tween the middle of November and Christmas Day ; 

 the stock or butt to be made of ground hazel, ground 

 ash, or ground willow, not more than two or three 

 feet long. The wood chosen to be that which sliot 

 directly from the ground — not from any stump — 

 and every joint beyond was to taper to a top made 

 preferably of hazel, though yew, crab, or blackthorn 

 might be used. If it had any knots or excrescences, 

 which were to be avoided if possible, they must be 

 removed with a sharp knife. Five or six inches of 

 the top were to be cut off, and a small piece of 

 round, smooth, taper whalebone spliced on with silk 

 and cobbler's wax, and the whole finislied with a 

 strong noose of hair to fasten the line to. Tliis was 



