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of Warwick Castle, glides through a charming country to Stratford-on-Avon, where it receives the Lesser Stour, from thence traverses the great level of Worcestershire by Evesham, and meets the Severn at Tewkesbury. The Chelt, the Stroud, whose water is said to have such a peculiar property in dying Scarlet and different ground colours, that no other can give them so fine a gloss; the Cam, and the Little Avon; all fall into the Severn after its junction with the Upper Avon. The Stroud accompanying its canal from the town of that name, and the Little Avon washing the memorable walls of Berkeley Castle, where EDWARD II. was inhumanly murdered, and which is the event alluded to by GRAY's Prophetic Bard.

"The shrieks of death thro' BERKELEY's roofs that ring,
Shrieks of an agonizing KING."

The LOWER AVON rises not far from Wootton Basset, in the hilly district of North Wiltshire, bordering upon this county. Emerging from the hills, it runs through the cloathing part of Wiltshire, bordering upon that of Somersetshire, and for some space divides the counties; at last, encircling Bath on two sides, it proceeds to Bristol; from thence advancing through marshes, it conveys the abundant trade of that opulent city to the Severn, and by its conflux constitutes the Bristol Channel at KingRoad.

These rivers produce plenty and a variety of fine fish, and afford the Angler great sport.

Hampshire.

THE AVON (which enters this county at Charford) pursues a south course from the junction of its three early component branches; one of which rises at the edge of Savernake Forest, near Marlborough, and the remaining two in the downish district between that tract and the Devizes; descending to Salisbury; on one side of that city it is joined by the Willey, the Deverell, the Nadder, and by the Bourne on the other. None of these rivers are considerable until their union with the Avon, (although the first and the third contribute to adorn the magnificent mansions and grounds of Wardour Castle and Wilton,) which continues its southward direction until the Stour meets it at Christ-Church, where it falls into the sea.

The Anton and Test, the Alne and Itchen, contribute with smaller streams to form the SOUTHAMPTON RIVER. The Anton rises about twelve miles northeast of Andover from two sources; one of these passes Whitchurch, and meeting the Test at Wherwell, proceeds to Stockbridge and Rumsey; where, at the first, it forms several Islands: it is there joined by several streams from the New Forest at REDBRIDGE, where it forms the head of the Southampton

River.

The Alne and the Itchen rise near Alresford, and unite below that town, bearing the sole name of the Itchen afterwards; it runs to Winchester, and is navigable from thence, and falls into Southampton

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Bay. The Southampton River, composed of those above described, immediately on its formation at Redbridge becomes a considerable arm of the sea; flowing to the south-east between the New Forest groves and the venerable remains of Netley Abbey, near which the Hamble (swelling from a small river into a broad Estuary, where two tides meet with great violence) descends into it from the interior of this county. Beneath Calshot Castle its proper exit to the Sea may be determined, where an angular strait divides the Isle of Wight from the Hampshire coast, near the entrance of Portsmouth Harbour. It was on the beach of Southampton water that CANUTE gave that striking reproof to his flattering Courtiers, when the disobedient Tide washed his feet; and here the warlike Henry V. mustered his Forces destined to the conquest of France.

The WEY rises in this county and runs into Surry. In the Itchen, and in many parts of all these rivers, there is good Angling; they afford Salmon, Salmon Trout, Mullet, Trout, in plenty, and various other fish.

Very few

years since Sea fish were so plentiful in parts of this County, that Oysters were three halfpence a hundred, and Prawns, sixpence; Mackerel, four-pence a dozen; Whitings, two-pence.

Herefordshire.

THE WYE, which has before been mentioned, enters on the western side near Hay, and runs through Hereford, Ross, and many other places in

this county. The LUG is a navigable river, which rising on the confines of Radnor, enters this county at Presteigne; runs easterly to Leominster where it receives the Oney, the Endwell, the Arrow, and all fall into the Wye below Hereford. The Frome and Loden run south until they unite near Stratton, and soon after reach the Wye. The Monow is a compound of several small rivulets, which rise in Hatterel Hills, and after receiving the Doyer, flowing from a valley called, from its superior fertility, the Golden Vale, joins the Wye at Monmouth. The Trothy, from the interior of Monmouthshire, is added to the Wye below Monmouth. The Diffrin Doe is said to be the only river in the county that does not rise in Wales.

These rivers are excellent for the Angler, abounding in Salmon, Trout, Grayling, Salmon Trout, and almost every other kind of river fish: the Salmon in the Wye are always in season; in many other parts of England, after spawning, they are deemed unwholesome, until they have returned to the sea to recover themselves; but here they are never kipper, that is, sick or lean, and always fit for the table. The Graylings, both in the Lug and the Wye, are also very fine.

Hertfordshire.

MANY small rivers water this county: the principal are the Lea and the Colne; the former is the only navigable river in Hertfordshire, and to preserve the navigation has been the care of Govern

ment ever since the Reign of HENRY the Fifth, by many subsequent Acts. The latter rises near Titten-hanger, passes through Watford, where it has two streams, which run separately to Rickmansworth, and reaches the THAMES at Stanes.

The New River has its source near Ware. The history is so well known, that it is almost superfluous to add that its stream was brought to LONDON in 1614, to supply that City with water, by Mr. afterwards Sir HUGH MIDDLETON, who expended a large property, and was ruined in the execution of

the work.

These rivers have variety of fish; Eels, Cray-fish, Trouts, Gudgeons, Bream, Carp, Tench, Perch, Roach, Pike, &c. Near Ware are good Trout.

Huntingdonshire.

THE NEN, or NINE, rises in two branches on the north and south of Daventry, and comes with a winding course from Wandesford round the northwest and northern borders of the county.

The OUSE enters in at St. Neots, and, passing Huntingdon, soon after leaves the county. These rivers produce good Pike, Perch, Eels, and plenty of .common fish. In the Nen is found the Rud or Finscale. There are also many MERES, where the Angler may be sure of diversion, as Whittlesea, (which is the largest, being six miles long and three broad, and which is frequently agitated without any apparent cause, by what is termed a bottom wind. The Cumberland Lakes undergo similar agitations, and which

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