52 
BllAMBLES AND BAY LEAVES. 
terrestrial kith and kin. There are three splendid tench 
—naturally the shyest of British fishes—now so familiar 
with the prison which has housed them for more than 
two years, and the keeper who has tended them during 
that time, that they not only flounder out of the dark 
weeds and rise when I call them to receive a few worms, 
but, without the offer of food, they will assemble at the 
surface and remain still while I play with them, and seem 
to enjoy familiarities as much as parrots do to have their 
polls scratched. 
I have a whole school of Crucian, British, and Prus¬ 
sian carp, all docile and loving as is their nature; but 
one huge Prussian carp is the captain of the tank—the 
special pet, the ancient and trusty friend whom I ever 
delight to honour, tie is a magnificent fellow, plump, 
iridescent, seven inches in length, and as playful as a 
spaniel. He commands universal admiration. His easy, 
gliding, and dignified motions,—for he is never in a 
hurry,—and his constant association with seven other of 
his kindred, who to him are as babes to a giant, and 
above all, his confiding fondness, make him a piscatory 
marvel. Whenever I enter the room, “ the boomer,” or 
“ master carpenter,”—for those are the names he seve¬ 
rally bears,—at once recognizes my voice or step, and 
straightway he comes “ booming ” to the side, with his 
dolphin-like head and splendid eyes, and there poises in 
mid-water to watch me. If I sit down to write, he 
remains there, slowly rising and sinking, never leaving 
the side next me even for an instant; he seems to watch 
and listen; and I could sometimes bitterly reproach 
Nature that she does not allow him to speak. As to 
