24 OLD-FASHIONED ANGLING 



when the author tries to explain the actual method 

 of using them he utterly fails. Anyone who at- 

 tempted to tie flies in the way explained would 

 produce most extraordinary specimens. 



The author has taken very great pains, not only 

 in naming the flies to be used each month, but the 

 actual time of day for them, and the hours between 

 which they must be used. Worms for bait are de- 

 scribed and named with great exactness, and the 

 best way to catch and keep them, also how best to 

 scour them previous to use. I think, however, the 

 method recommended for scouring one kind would 

 be too much for any but a very enthusiastic angler 

 — namely, to put them in a woollen bag, and keep 

 them in your waistcoat pocket. Few persons could 

 stand that, I think. 



Many recipes for different sorts of pastes are 

 given, but it is hard to believe that any fish would 

 take them — " bean flour, the tenderest part of a 

 kitten's leg, wax and suet beaten together in a 

 mortar," scarcely sounds alluring ; neither does a 

 mixture of " fat old cheese (the strongest rennet), 

 suet, and turmeric," appear to be very nice. To 

 any of these pastes you may add " assafoetida, oil of 

 polypody of the oak, oil of ivy, or oil of Peter." 

 Well, I do not suppose that they would make much 

 difference. 



