AROUND HAMPTON COURT 135 



London their headquarters for these was scarcely 

 dreamed of, and most of the well-to-do who came 

 to the meetings drove each way. 



Do not think that with racing reminiscences 

 I can write myself out, because if you do you are 

 much mistaken. There is the angling sect who 

 swore by Hampton Court as a centre. I am a bit 

 of a Philistine on fish-catching, cos why, I have 

 lived contagious to the Thames on and off" for 

 very many years, and never yet saw more than 

 three good ones landed. This is not to say that 

 the fishing correspondents who turn in thirty 

 dozen of dace, forty ditto of roach, seven score of 

 gudgeon, a creel full of barbel, and specimen 

 samples of jack, all taken by ''a gentleman 

 fishing with So-and-so," depart from the truth. 

 I take those reports as they come. They do not 

 enter into this argument when I say that I have 

 known two ardent fishers — the late Mr J. P. 

 Wheeldon and our present, may he live for ever, 

 Mr Henry Smurthwaite — who loved the Hampton 

 reaches, and made big takes there. 



Poor old Wheeldon ! most fertile of writers, a 

 sportsnan bred and born, also educated that 

 way ! l.e was a sportsman, a marvel at fishing, 

 and a jood un all round. He could do almost 

 anything. At the Mitchell-Sullivan fight, J. P., 

 who was reporting it, was there all through, and 

 asserted himself in the cause of fair play. Once 

 came c chance of interruption — as the word used 

 to be understood — and interruption that day 

 meant very ugly work. Wheeldon said, says he, 

 to the chief would-be interrupter — an old-time 

 pro., wio would as soon chew your nose off as 

 argue i point out logically — " If you don't shut 

 your mouth, I shall hit you on it." Good old 



