persons carry their pannier at their back, others under the left arm, having the side nearest them rather hollowed, in these baskets are sometimes a partition at the top, for holding night lines, &c.

For the keeping and carrying of lines, links, single hairs, &c. a case may be made with a piece of parchment or vellum, seven inches by ten; on the longer sides set off four inches, and then fold it crosswise, so as to leave a flap of two inches. Eight or ten pieces of parchment, seven inches by four, are then to be put into the vellum or parchment, first mentioned, to be folded, and the ends sewed up; the flap may be cut rounding, and fold down like a pocket-book; the ends and flap being bound with red tape, will strengthen it. By having several of these cases they may be filled with lines, &c. &c. proper for every kind of fishing, and in each a disgorger should be always put.

Some persons have two books with divisions, one holding fine tackle, for Trout, Perch, Roach, Dace, Bream, Gudgeons; the other containing coarse, for Pike, Barbel, Chub, Eels, &c. A very neat and experienced Angler has recommended the following: a piece of fine black calf leather, seventeen inches long and seven broad, to be so doubled, that the two ends may be about an inch from each other, this to be sewed nicely at both sides, but the ends to be left open. Into each of the two sides, six partitions of fine parchment are to be neatly stitched to the bottom of the pockets. One side of this book is meant to hold Fly, the other Bait-tackle, and to be thus furnished: in the partition next the outside, two strong lines of twelve hairs at top and six at bottom, with neat loops of not more than three quarters of an inch. To lengthen these lines, two links of five hairs at one end, and four at the other, and about four feet in length: in the same partition two thin square parchment covers, open on one side, contain links, about a yard and half long, some with one, others with two flies at them, to change at pleasure with those on the line, and in two more cases, a dozen or eighteen flies dressed to silk-worm gut, or to three of

four hairs. These four cases, two of which are the length of the partition, with the two lines and links, compose the strong fly tackle.

In the next partition the same number of lines and links, only the lines to have but three hairs at the bottom, altho' as big at the top, these have links and flies suitable to them, upon very fine gut and two strong hairs, and are more numerous as being in greater use. In the third division, two lines ten at top and two hairs at bottom, but no links to lengthen them. All the links to be single hairs, with two or three hooks each, about a dozen of these in one case, a case of flies dubbed, and another of hackles of a woodcock's wing, &c.

In the fourth partition, papers folded nearly its length, one containing feathers from the upper side of a woodcock's wing near the joint, the same from a Moorpout; another, cock's hackles, stripped ready for use, with Lapwing Plover, toppings, Ostrich feathers of several colours, and a few peacocks; a third paper has feathers, for wings, from the Drake, Starling, Land-rail, and other birds.

In the fifth, folded papers with all sorts of dubbings: in one properly noted, mixed ready for several flies, with a feather or two fit for wings; amongst the dubbings, these should always find a place, viz. The soft down from a young Hedge-hog's belly, black Rabbit, the finest of Swine's down dyed of several colours; Camel's and Bear's hair.

In the sixth, coils of single hairs, fine Indian grass, silk-worm gut, &c. Silks ready waxed, wrapped round a card, and in an oiled case hooks of several sizes.

On the Bait-side of this fishing-book, nearly the same method is observed as in that of the Fly. Lines, made in the same manner, but shorter, with links to lengthen them when needful.

In the first partition, two lines for trolling with Minnow, complete ; in the second, four lines of different length and strength, for Brandling, Creeper, Cod-bait, and Grub-fishing.

The third contains two parchment cases with links ready to loop on to the lines, fitted with hooks, according to the bait meant to be used.

The fourth; two or three fine lines, and in cases, links with single hairs, to fish with natural flies and insects, when the water is very clear.

The fifth; two long and strong lines to fish in eddies and deep streams at night, with Dew-worms, Snails, Moths, Beetles, &c.

The sixth holds bait hooks of various sizes, in an oiled parchment, pieces of wash leather and cork, cut neatly to imitate Cod-bait, Strawbait, &c. Grass, Gut, and unplaited hair. When the book is closed together, it will be seven inches long, and about five in breadth, and filled as above, will be an ample magazine.

A Tin bor is sometimes preferred for carrying Fly-tackle, as the flies are not pressed in it, as they are in the Book.

THE WEATHER, AND TIMES PROPER AND IMPROPER FOR

ANGLING.

VARIOUS are the hints and observations upon Angling, as it is affected by the weather, and equally numerous are the directions to form a proper judgment of it; many prognostics will be noticed, and also a cautionary mode of defending the artist from its effects. The late Dr. FRANKLIN observed, that of all the amusements, which the ingenuity of Man had devised, none required the exercise of Patience so much as Angling, and he enforced his remark by reciting the fol

lowing that setting out from Philadelphia at six o'clock on a summer's morning, to go about fifteen miles, he passed a brook where a Gentleman was angling, he enquired what sport, and was told none, but added the Gentleman, I have only been here two hours. The Doctor continued his journey, and on his return in the evening, found the Angler at the same spot, and repeated his enquiry, Very good sport was the reply. The query was naturally resumed, by asking how many fish he had caught? None at all, answered the Gentleman, but about the middle of the day I had a most glorious nibble.

To the DOCTOR's anecdote, that of the river Lea Angler, may be added this person being daily seen at one particular spot, a brother Angler conceived it must be the resort of abundance of fish, and there one morning at day-break, began his operations. The usual attendant of the place arrived some hours after, and threw in his line, a long silence ensued, when the first comer remarked, that he was out of luck in not having caught any fish in this favourite hole, which, says he, I am convinced it is with you, from the constant attention I have seen you pay to it. Sir, replies the Gentleman, I confess long custom has rendered me extremely partial to the spot, but as for the fish, I assure you that here have I angled for forty years, and never had a bite yet. Without expecting the modern Angler's patience will equal that of either of the above persons, it is absolutely requisite he should be possessed of a full stock, notwithstanding he providently observes the following directions as so many points in his favour.

Never angle in glaring coloured clothes*, perhaps green is that which the fish discern least, as varying less from those objects, such as trees

• MARKHAM, in his Country Contentments, has a whole chapter on the Angler's Apparel and inward qualities; among others, he was to be a general scholar in all the liberal Sciences, as a grammarian, to be able to write or discourse of his Art, in true and fitting terms; to have Sweetness of Speech, to entice others to delight in so laudable an exercise, and also Strength of Argument to defend it against Envy and Slander. With proper hooks, fine tackle, and so much Science in store, the Angler, it is to be presumed, would stand a fair chance of

and herbage on the sides, to which they are familiarized. The Angler should shelter himself by standing (unless the water is muddy from rain) far from the bank, or behind a bush or tree, where he can just see the float, and so that his shadow does not at any time lie upon the water, especially where it is shallow, and the gravelly bottom can be discerned.

In a pond, angle near where the cattle go to drink. In rivers, where such particular fish as you are in pursuit of, choose to haunt. Places where there are many weeds, or old stumps of trees, harbour fish in great numbers, there they lie close and warm, and usually bite freely; but there is a great nicety required to cast in the bait, and when a fish is struck, the line is so apt to be entangled, that the least rashness loses both that and the hook.

Deep waters are best to angle in, as the fish are not then disturbed by wind and weather.

The best periods are from April to October, from three until nine in the morning, and from three in the afternoon so long as there is light, the later the better sport. In winter, the weather and times are much alike, the warmest is most preferable.

Before fish spawn, they generally come upon sandy fords, to rub and loosen their bellies, at which time they bite freely; when there is a gentle rise of a river, and the water begins to be discoloured, Chub, Perch and Eels, bite well; Pike, in summer, when the river is clearing after a flood, do the same. At the opening of Sluices or Mill-dams, the course of the water should be pursued, the Angler will hardly fail

success, but without additional acquirements, he might as well stay at home; for Mr. MARKHAM continues respecting his Fortitude," then must he be strong and valiant, neither to be amazed with storms, nor affrighted with thunder; and if he is not temperate, but has a gnawing stomach, that will not endure much fasting, but must observe hours; it troubleth the mind and body, and loseth that delight which only maketh the pastime pleasing."