208 FLY FISHING FOR TEOUT. 



it ran through thirteen editions. He is 

 interesting as showing that a hundred and 

 thirty years ago you could get good fishing in 

 the heart of London. 'When you go to angle 

 at Chelsea, on a calm fair day, the wind being 

 in a right corner, pitch your boat most opposite 

 to the church, and angle in six, or seven feet 

 water, where, as well as at Battersea Bridge, 

 you will meet with plenty of roach and dace.' 

 I wonder how many you would meet with now. 

 Such is the prose of the eighteenth century. 

 There is much of it, but it is not distinguished. 

 I come back to what I said in an earlier chapter, 

 that the best account of fly fishing is in verse. 

 Gay's lines are surely admirable : 



Oft have I seen a skilful angler try 



The various colours of the treacherous fly; 



When he with fruitless pain hath skimmed the 



brook, 

 And the coy fish rejects the skipping hook, 

 He shakes the boughs that on the margin grow, 

 Which o'er the stream a waving forest throw ; 

 When, if an insect fall (his certain guide). 

 He gently takes him from the whirling tide ; 

 Examines well his form, with curious eyes, 

 His gaudy vest, his wings, his horns and size. 

 Then round his hook the chosen fur he winds 

 And on the back a speckled feather binds. 



Having made the fly, you proceed to try it : 



Upon the curling surface let it glide. 

 With natural motion from thy hand supplied ; 

 Against the stream now let it gently play, 

 Now in the rapid eddy roll away. 



