CARP-GOSSIP. 163 
the Zoological Society, a carp that had been netted 
in a piece of water called the Mere, at Pain’s-hill, in 
Surrey. This specimen weighed 22 lbs., and was in 
length 30 inches, being in girth, taken at the com- 
mencement of the dorsal fin, 24 inches. It belonged 
to the well-known naturalist and angler Edward 
Jesse, Esq., by whose permission it was exhibited. 
Mr. Yarrell observed to the meeting, that “he could 
find no record of any carp so large having before been 
taken in this country.” * 
A curious purpose for a carp to be applied to is 
mentioned in the manuscript diary of one Bonnivert, 
a French Protestant officer in the service of King 
William III, that the writer once edited for an Irish 
archeological journal. Bonnivert was one of a de- 
‘tachment of dragoons employed: in guarding treasure 
on its way from London to Ireland, in 1690 ; and he 
says :— 
“Within three miles of Namptwich is a very fine house 
belonging to Sir Thomas Delft, with a very fine pool full of 
all wild fowls. You may take notice of a carp, that was taken 
here, three-quarters of a yard and odd inches long, which is set 
up as a weather-cock at the top of the house.” 
The writer was one of a party who disposed of a 
carp of about the same size in a much more sensible 
manner—at least, as they thought—by cooking it ac- 
cording to the directions given by the venerable Izaak 
Walton. Knowing well that culinary instructions 
* Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, Nov. 22, 1836. 
