kiss their mother earth, and rise, Antæus-like, to ride again with freshnerved desperation! Throughout the rolling world such things alone are seen in Britain's lovely realm.

pace.

At length the hounds throw up their heads while crossing a deep gully, where the sun has not yet had sufficient power to dispel the frost, and the panting steeds obtain a trifling respite from the severity of the But short is the delay thus accorded, for Joe's keen eye espics upon the hill a flock of sheep that are scouring along as though possessed by devils, and well he knows that reynard is inflicting upon them his undesired companionship, and forcing them to blot out all traces of his flight. The hounds are lifted o'er the field; to right and left the frighted sheep disperse in wild dismay, and there the traitor stands revealed, his brush bedraggled, and his tongne hanging from out his slavered jaws. The trick has been recognised too by a veteran groom, who rides the squire's remount, and on the top of the hill those who have the luxury of fresh horses in the field find them all ready to their hands.

Furious the clamorous pack rush forward at the sight, and though to jump on their fresh horses be for the men but the work of a minute, the hounds are already streaming far away; the chase is sped, and to seek for a safe place to jump is but to be thrown out. Each man then, keeping a bright look-out a-head for a weak place in the fence, goes at it with a will, and leaves the result to Providence, which never fails to favour pluck; and fast and furious the joyous band dash on, their ranks occasionally thinned as one or other meets with some mishap, or finds his horse has just had quantum suff. And now the tail-hounds are overtaken, and the main body of the pack is seen streaming down the hill one field a-head. Not a covert is in sight; the line is all over grass, and it is well-known that reynard cannot hide his devoted head in any spot that can afford him a minute's shelter under at least a five-mile

run.

But the tough old varmint has gone the line more than once, and knowing every inch of the ground, sets his nose for the Parson's Gorse, where he hopes to shift his responsibility to other shoulders, and turning neither right nor left goes straight as a pigeon for the goal he hopes to reach. The screeching yell of his pursuers hangs on his steps, and, telling how well the scent lies in the valley, seems ominous of death; but every stride he takes brings him nearer home, and half the distance is already passed without having told much upon his remaining strength. Still his best efforts fail to place a greater distance between himself and the pack; and as the pastures are large, and he is constantly in view, he can never hope to dodge without being immediately discovered and brought within dangerous proximity to his foes. Nearer and nearer sweeps the dreaded chase; on, on, he struggles for his life, and at length, exerting his utmost strength, sees the glad haven of his hopes in reach, which, unluckily for him, crowns the summit of a loftly hill, and ere he has toiled up one-third of the ascent the hounds are already screaming up the steep, the huntsman's voice is urging them to redoubled speed, and worse than all, a vile shepherd's dog direct in front is waiting to take advantage of his weariness, and to dispute the pass. Another minute, and the cur is rushing on him: sly reynard sudden drops, and his antagonist rolling over him goes tumbling down the hill: but the delay,

short as it is, is fatal to his hopes; in vain he strains each nerve and struggles to make good his point. Young Chanticleer, a hound of speedy blood and vigorous mould, is already bristling at his side, and snarling bears him most unwelcome company, though yet reluctant singly to grapple with his grizzly mate. Together thus the pair the gorse have reached, and reynard, with a last spring, is already half-ensconced within the prickly covert. One cheer from Joe, and the youngster fastens on his haunch with deadly gripe, and hangs upon his flight; in vain he snarls and shows his pearly teeth; in vain he writhes and struggles to get free; the youngster holds too well: desperate he turns, and turning meets a host of foes all eager for his blood, that soon in crimson tides lets out his recreant life,

WHOO-HOOP! WHOO-HOOP! WHOO-0-0-HOOP!

Seven men alone of all the gay field have seen the death, and the heaving sides and distended nostrils of their jaded steeds bear panting witness to the severity of the pace. The squire pulls out his watch— "Just five-and-fifty minutes from the osiers to the gorse; a good twelve miles without a turn. Such sport deserves a chronicler." Joy beams in every jocund face; congratulations pour from mouth to mouth, with jokes on absent friends unhorsed or beaten off; and each brave heart slackens his saddle-girths, and having paid the funeral honours to the foe, leads his tired horse adown the hill. In converse jovial the sportsmen wend their homeward way, ready to relate their deeds by flood and field, and ride the run afresh for youthful ears impatient of the news. At night, their lips with choicest weed of western isle bedecked, and stretched in easy chair, they pass the jocund hours with boon associates, who mock at care and laugh to scorn the fool who stores up wealth in idle heaps, nor dares to spend his treasures like a man.

Such are the joys the country yields; for occupation let us add a fertile farm, not large enough to cause an anxious mind, but of extent suffi· cient to destroy the monster idleness, and all the train of ills that bear him company

66 -modus agri, non ita magnus,
Hortus ubi--"

Grant us, ye gods, such pastimes to pursue; and grant the rustic pleasures of agrarian life. Let others court the town, and avaricious pass the smoky hours in plodding calculation: we envy not their lot, nor yet the frittering pleasures of the well-dressed beau-poor Bond street butterfly, whose greatest care is how to murder time and sleep away the leaden hours of London life.

"Beatus ille qui procul negotiis,

Ut prisca gens mortalium,
Paterna rura bobus exercet suis,
Solutus omni fœnore."

AMATEUR.

ANGLING IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN RIVERS OF

ENGLAND.

This is a district of England very favourable to the angler. The rivers and streams which arise out of, and flow through it, generally possess those characters or attributes which suit the nature and instincts of the salmon and trout; and they run through portions of the country which impart ideas of beauty and sublimity to the mind of man. The whole of this division, in a rural point of view, is exceedingly interesting; and the climate is so mild and balmy, that weakly and valetudinarian anglers may take liberties with their constitutions here, which they could not well do with impunity in more northern regions.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE.

The rivers of this county are the Thames, the Ouse, the Coln, and the Wick.

The Ouse is a good stream for trout. The best station is about two or three miles above Buckingham.

The Coln is also good: it runs past the villages of Rilbury and Barnsley, and thence to Rickmansworth. It is no uncommon piscatory achievement to kill in this river eight or ten dozen of good trout in a day. The best flies are the red and black hackles.

The Wick springs not far from West Wycombe; passes High Wycombe, and runs into the Thames at Marlow. This is, in many localities, a good trout stream: the largest trout I ever saw taken out of it weighed three pounds and one ounce. It was a fine rich fish. From my own experience in the Wick, I prefer the palmers to any other fly.

BERKSHIRE.

The principal rivers in this county are the Thames, the Kennet, the Lamborn, and Loddon.

The Kennet springs out of Wiltshire, and enters the Thames near the town of Reading. It is considered an excellent stream for trout, and there are several fishing stations on it. Hungerford is one of considerable repute it is sixty-five miles from London. The waters here are full of fine fish, but they are preserved; and some interest, or some outpourings of the pocket are required to be allowed to exercise the gentle craft in this neighbourhood. Newbury and Speenhamland are the next angling stations; and there are good-sized trout to be met with in all the waters in the immediate neighbourhood of these places. Reading is thirty miles from London; but the Kennet is not here so prolific as in the more elevated parts of the stream. The sort of flies used on the Kennet are of various hues; but in general light ones have the decided advantage, particularly in the higher parts of the river, over those of a dark colour.

The Lamborn is a small stream, with a few trout in it, and a good many pike, perch, and roach.

The Loddon rises in Hampshire, but it is only fitted for bottomfishing.

The Ock takes its origin in the western parts of the county, runs a general E.N.E. course, receiving many tributaries by the way: it falls into the Thames at Abingdon it has a run of about twenty miles. There are not many trout in it, though some of very considerable weight have occasionally been caught with the minnow. The pike are considered excellent in quality, as well as perch, gudgeon, roach, dace, and cray fish.

CORNWALL.

This is a good angling part of England. The rivers have all that clear and sparkling character, so favourable for the trout and the salmon. The principal streams are the Tamer (noticed under Devonshire), the Fowey, the Camel, the Fal, and the Love.

The Fowey springs from the country between Bodmin and Launceston. Its course is very beautiful, and it is well stocked with trout, and with a good sprinkling of salmon. The drake and woodcock-wings are favourites on this stream; and, after May, the hackle and palmer flies will be found very successful bait.

The Camel rises out of the hills of Rough-tor, flows by Camelford, Bodmin, and Wade's Bridge, and then enters the sea at Padstowe. This is a trout stream of fair angling capabilities. The fish are not large, but they are plentiful, and of average quality.

The Fal springs from near to St. Columb, and runs into the basin at Truro. This is a good trout river, and salmon in August and September may be caught with the fly.

DEVONSHIRE.

This is a splendid county for the angler: all its rivers are of a firstrate character, both for salmon and trout, as well as for the beauty of country through which they flow. Nature has here poured out her gifts with no niggardly hand. The chief rivers are the Tamer, the Plym, the Yealme, the Erne, the Avon, the Dart, the Exe, the Otter, the Syd, the Axe, the Teign, the Taw, and the Tarridge.

The Tamar divides Devonshire from Cornwall; and in the more elevated parts of its course, before it becomes so wide previously to its entering Plymouth Sound, is an excellent trout stream. Salmon-trout are also caught in the months of August, September, and the beginning of October with fly. Light-coloured, middle-sized flies are the best for trout fishing in the spring; and the hackle and palmer flies in the summer, except after rains-then the winged flies have the advantage. The minuow is also a good bait; and in the dry and hot months of summer, when the river is shallow and clear, the red-worm behind the shade may be successfully used. Large fish are taken in this way, when they cannot otherwise be obtained.

The Plym springs from the east side of Dartmoor, and enters the ocean at Plymouth. This is a good trout stream, and the further you ascend it the better it becomes. The trout, however, near its source become small, though of excellent quality.

The Yealme, the Erne, and the Avon take their origin from Dartmoor, and very near cach other. They are all streams of nearly the

same character: they run through a country exceedingly beautiful. The trout in them all are very much like each other, both in size and colour. There are salmon in them, but they are by no means numerous. The streams in many parts of their course are rapid, clear, and sparkling; and in summer, and during very bright days, fine tackle must be used.

The Dart is a very rapid river for many miles from its source, which is situated in Dartmoor. It runs past Totnes and King's Wearn, and falls into the sea at Dartmouth. The river abounds with both salmon and trout, of excellent quality. The higher localities of the Dart, before it arrives at the level part of the county, are the best for the fly-fisher. The streams here are navigable.

The Exe takes its origin of the hilly county of Exmoor, in Somersetshire; and, running by Tiverton, its volume of waters is considerably increased by the accession of the Loman, the Creedy, and the Culan. The Exe then proceeds to Exmouth, and then falls into the sea. There is good angling in this stream, and all its tributary waters: in the higher portions of them small flies should be used; but this must also depend upon the force of the curl upon the surface. Some anglers, who frequent those rivers from the metropolis, prefer the minnow to the fly. Salmon, both in spring and in the months of August and September, are often taken with the fly.

The rivers Otter, Syd, and Axe spring out of Somersetshire. They are all good trout streams, and are much frequented by the anglers of Devonshire. Small flies ought to be generally used, and pretty fine

tackle.

The Teign, the Taw, and the Tarridge are likewise good streams: they all abound with salmon, as well as trout. They pass through parts of the country of great beauty and sweetness.

As all rivers in this county are of the first-rate quality, the angler should take up his residence in some central spot in it: this will enable him to visit the best portions of many excellent waters, without having to travel over considerable tracts of country, thus saving time and money.

MONMOUTHSHIRE.

This is not an indifferent county for angling. There is an abundance of trout, and some of good size too. The principal rivers are the Wye, the Monnow, the Lug, the Usk, the Trothy, and the Gavenny. In this county there are delightful streams in many localities they traverse, where fly-fishing can be enjoyed to perfection. All of the rivers abound with plenty of trout; and occasionally salmon may be caught in them, both in the spring and in the months of August and September. Minnow has been used in all these streams by several expert trollers, to great advantage.

The kind of flies generally used in these Monmouthshire rivers are rather above the middle size. Some anglers greatly prefer black bodies, whilst others swear stoutly by the red. Winged flies are more used than hackles or palmers, though the latter are both excellent for all the waters in this district. When the May-fly is on the rivers, great quantities of trout are taken with the artificial May-fly; but I have never found but that even during this season the trout will take other descriptions of flies just as readily.