The Big Trout. i8i 



the casting-net ; it hitched in a button at 

 the back of his coat, and in he went head- 

 long. 



At one o'clock, sharp, luncheon was an- 

 nounced, and we all adjourned to the well-known 

 spot, a large elm, and there was spread out 

 a first-rate feed, to which ample justice was 

 done ; then cigars and pipes, and a most 

 enjoyable idle hour on the grass, when work 

 was commenced again, and kept on till five. 

 Every fish under a pound (fishermen's weight, 

 of course) was put back in the stream if it 

 was not injured by the net. We usually got 

 ten or twelve brace of first-rate fish ; but I 

 could not help regretting their capture in that 

 way, as they would have afforded excellent 

 sport for a whole season to any lover of 

 the art; but, however, so it was, and I enjoyed 

 the fun with the rest. An excellent dinner, 

 ?such as only a first-rate farm-house, where the 

 mistress superintends the cooking, can turn 

 out ; the cream and butter, fresh and pure, 

 which are such essentials to good cookery, not 

 being spared. A cigar in the open air after 

 dinner, and a rubber or game at Van John, as 

 it was called, wound up a really pleasant day. 



