POIET. Would not the fish be still better, or at least possess more curd, if caught in a net and killed immediately? In the operation of tiring by the reel there must be considerable muscular exertion, and I should suppose expenditure of oily matter.

9;|1 HAL.—There can be no doubt but the fish would be in a more perfect state for the table from the nets; yet a fish in high season does not lose so much fat during the short time he is on the hook as to make much difference; and I am not sure that the action of crimping after does not give a better sort of crispness to the fibre: this, however, may be fancy; we will discuss the matter again at table. See! our companion on the lake, the eagle, is coming down the river, and has pounced upon a fish in the pool near the river.

PHYS I fear he will interfere with our sport: let us request Ornithér to shoot him. I wish to see him nearer and to preserve him as a specimen for the Zoological Society. HALO! no. He will not spoil our sport; and I think it would be a pity to

deprive this spot of one of its poetical ornaments. Besides, the pool where he is now fishing contains little but trouts; it is too shallow for salmon, who run into the cruives.

POIET.-I am of your opinion; and shall use my eloquence to prevent Ornither from attempting the life of so beautiful a bird; so majestic in its form, so well suited to the scenery, and so picturesque in all its habits. THE INNKEEPER.-Gentlemen, dinner is

HAL.-Now take your places.

think you of our fish?

What

PHYS.-I never ate better; but I want the Harvey or Reading sauce.

HAL.-Pray let me entreat you to use no other sauce than the water in which he was boiled. I assure you this is the true Epicurean way of eating fresh salmon: and for the trout, use only a little vinegar and mustard, a sauce à la Tartare, without the onions.

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POIET.-Well, nothing can be better; and

I do not think fresh net-caught fish can be superior to these.

HAL. And these snipes are excellent, Either my journey has given me an appetite, or I think they are the best I ever tasted. ORN. They are good, but I have tasted better.

Where?

ORN. On the continent; where the common snipe, that rests during its migration from the north to the south in the marshes of Italy and Carniola, and the double or solitary snipe, become so fat as to resemble that bird which was formerly fattened in Lincolnshire, the ruff; and they have, I think, a better flavour from being fed on their natural food.

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and autumn; but the autumnal birds are the best, and are like the ortolan of Italy.

HAL.-Where does the double snipe

winter?

ORN.-I believe in Africa and Asia minor. They are rarely seen in England, except

driven by an east wind in the spring, or a strong north wind in the autumn. Their natural progress is to and from Finland and Siberia, through the continent of Europe to and from the east and south.* In autumn they pass more east, both because they are aided by west winds, and because the marshes in the east of Europe are wetter in that season; and in spring they return, but a larger proportion through Italy, where they are carried by the Sirocco, and which at that time is extremely wet. Come, let us have another bottle of claret: a pint per man is not too much after such a day's fatigue.

HAL.-You have made me president for these four days, and I forbid it. A half

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* From the food, or rather I should say the remains of food, found in the stomach of the double snipe, I think it is probable that it requires a kind of worm, which is not found in winter even in the temperate climes of Europe; and that it feeds differently from the snipe. There are certainly none found after the middle of October, in either Illyria or Italy; and I ¦ believe the same may be said of the middle of May, as to their summer migration, or their breeding migration.

pint of wine for young men in perfect health is enough, and you will be able to take your exercise better, and feel better for this abstinence. How few people calculate upon the effects of constantly renewed fever in our luxurious system of living in England! The heart is made to act too powerfully, the blood is thrown upon the nobler parts, and with the system of wading adopted by some sportsmen, whether in shooting or fishing, is delivered either to the hemorhoidal veins, or what is worse, to the head. I have known several free livers who have terminated their lives by apoplexy, or have been rendered miserable by palsy, in consequence of the joint effects of cold feet and too stimulating a diet; that is to say as much animal food as they could eat, with a pint or perhaps a bottle of wine per day. Be guided by me, my friends, and neither drink nor wade. I know there are old men who have done both and have enjoyed perfect health; but these are devil's decoys to the unwary, and ten suffer for one that escapes. I could quote to you an instance from this very county, one of the