136 BRITISH SPORTING FISHES. 
such another tree! It would be easier to sup- 
pose two Shakespeares.” Wilson probably found 
at Elleray what he sought. He tramped among 
the mountains; he fished; he boated with his. 
favourite “ Billy Balmer” on the lake ; he tended 
his game birds and fought mains; and he certainly 
indulged in many boisterous pleasures. Thé 
presence of “the Lakers,” as Byron irreverently 
dubbed them, might be some inducement to 
Wilson, as they certainly had influence as his 
neighbours. Wordsworth was at Rydal, Southey 
and Coleridge at Keswick, De Quincey with 
Wordsworth, and besides these there were other 
lesser lights. Strange as it may appear, there 
was a good deal in common _ between these 
men, and they were frequently at each other’s 
houses. Allanbank, the house which Words- 
worth occupied after his return from Colerton, 
was a common resort; and whilst here as the 
guest of Wordsworth Wilson made the ac- 
quaintance of both Coleridge and De Quincey. 
At this time all of them were young, and 
would seem to have had an intense enjoyment 
of life. Excursions among the mountains were 
their chief pursuits, and one of these became 
memorable. This was an invasion of soli- 
tary Eskdale by a little army of anglers, with 
tents and baggage for a week’s sojourn. It 
