put the fly and the end of the gut-line through the circle; wet the circle well in your mouth, and draw it tight; cut or bite off the ends: put on the drop-fly thus-place it along the gut-line, a yard from the trail-fly, with its gut end towards the trail-fly, and the fly towards the rod; bend the gut end of the fly round the gut-line; put it twice through its own circle, and draw it tight, wetting it first in the mouth; cut off the end. If you use more droppers, put them on in the same way, and about the same distance from each other, or rather less, say thirty inches from the others: let the highest one hang on longer gut than the others, i. e., the highest may hang on gut five inches long; the next, on three inches and a half; and the next, on three; so as to meet the water gradually, as the line hangs from the rod.

Reel-line. You will find a reel-line, made entirely of hair, is capable of being thrown with more precision than one composed of silk thread and hair combined; because the latter is more flaccid, and more liable to angle and kink, that is, to knot, than one of hair alone, which, being of a firmer nature, describes greater angles as it turns during the act of throwing; but either kind will do.

Reel.-Let your reel be quite simple in its construction, and beware of multipliers and stops. Not only are the multipliers always getting deranged, but they draw a fish too tight up, before you can be aware, and so tear the hook out of its mouth, while the stop is continually found to act, from accident, just at the very time it ought not, viz., when the fish makes a rush, which is the precise moment that line ought to be let out, instead of being stopped from running. Let the reel be small, but deep; and especially, let the axis (on which the line is wound) be of a large diameter, which, on evident principles, will give great additional despatch, when necessary, in winding up the line. No matter how the reel is fastened; adopt the most fashionable method, of a groove and rings.

Rod. Take the maker's advice as to the wood of your rod; but let it be light for trout-fishing. Mr. Hofland says, the rod, if for one hand, should be from twelve to fourteen feet long, and if for two hands, from sixteen to eighteen. Younger says, from fourteen to sixteen feet. Now, to wield a two-handed rod during a whole day, would fatigue most men, and destroy the pleasure of trout-fishing; and a fourteen feet rod, for one hand, would be little better. These sizes are, besides, incompatible with the proper striking of the fish; that quick, but, at the same time, delicate operation, which Younger so well describes as being rather a "retentive hold," than a start or a "strike." It is inconceivable, to one who has not witnessed it (from a bridge or a bank), with what force and rapidity a fish will disgorge an artificial fly, which it has seized, when it discovers the cheat. The late Sir Humphry Davy, an excellent fisher, was not fully aware of this. On visiting Sir Walter Scott, at Abbotsford, he happened to be accompanied, on a day's salmon fishing, by Mr. William Ovens, an old salmon-fisher, at Boleside, on the Tweed, opposite the poet's residence. Sir Humphry was, at the time, much interested in the remarkable fact, that food is seldom, if ever, found in the stomach of a salmon. They were fishing with minnow, and, on their killing a twelve-pounder, Sir Humphry lectured away, to his experienced but plain and practical-minded companion, on the

wonderful powers of digestion of the fish, his favourite theory, by which he accounted for the fact, that no trace could be found in the stomach of the specimen before them of the minnow with which he had been just taken. Mr. Ovens, who possesses more practical knowledge of the piscatory art than, perhaps, any man existing, and is, withal, a bit of an original, did not contradict the philosopher, who, probably, maintained his theory to the last; but in repeating the circumstances afterwards, he used to add, "Poor body! I saw the minnow spin a couple of yards into the air, with the force with which it was sput out, and light upon the bank." Most persons must have been astonished, occasionally, in fishing with worm, to find the bait projected a couple of yards up the line, on a fish being taken. This rejection of a discovered bait is performed with the quickness of lightning; and, accordingly, most good fishermen place the art of catching numbers in quick striking, as it is called, so as to fix the hook. For this reason, the experienced fisher on the Tweed recommends a rod of twelve or twelve feet and a half long, and little heavier than a coach whip. The Irish trout rods are of this description. As to a general rod, intended fit for everything, it is just a rod fit for nothing, i. e., for doing nothing well, and can never satisfy one who has any taste for the art he practises. Mr. Ronalds' observations are judicious on this head; "the strong man," says he, "may venture upon a rod about fourteen or fifteen feet long; but to the person who is shorter, or less robust, one so short, even, as twelve or twelve feet and a half, and light in proportion, is recommended, as the command will be sooner obtained, and with much less fatigue to the arm." We have, however, given a reason, not depending upon the strength of the bearer, why a trout-rod should not exceed twelve feet and half for all descriptions of persons ; and, undoubtedly, such a size will be found the most agreeable. A sufficient length of line will be thrown, with a rod of that length, for most streams where trout lie, as they are seldom found in great numbers at the very mouth of the river; and for any occasional trial, in such cases, a larger rod may be substituted for the time. The length of the two-handed rod mentioned by Mr. Hofland, viz., sixteen or eighteen feet, is quite unnecessary for the general purpose, and is, in Scotland, the most approved length of a salmon-rod for the largest rivers.

Do not get too supple a rod, such as an Irish trout-rod, else you will not be able to throw the line against the wind; nor yet let it be very stiff, as that is unpleasant to the hand, and fatiguing; but let the extreme point of the top be very soft and pliable, as recommended by Younger; for too firm and unyielding a point is apt to tear the hook out of the fish's mouth.

GAFFER.

EASTER MONDAY.

A DAY WITH THE QUEEN'S, AND A DAY WITH THE EPPING.

BY LORD WILLIAM LENNOX.

"The morning sun that gilds, with trembling rays,
Windsor's high towers, beholds the courtly train
Mount for the chase, nor views, in all his course,
A scene so gay: heroic, noble youths,

In arts and arms renown'd, and lovely nymphs
The fairest of this Isle.

In proud parade
These shine magnificent, and press around
The Royal, happy pair. Great in themselves,
They smile superior, of external show
Regardless; while their inbred virtues give
A lustre to their power, and grace their court
With real splendours, far above the pomp
Of Eastern Kings, in all their tinsel pride."

SOMERVILE'S CHASE.

IN a former article, the title of which we took from a line addressed to Somervile, on his poem of the "Chase" ("The Chase, the Sport of Britain's Kings"), we ventured to congratulate our readers upon the favourable aspect of sporting affairs, from the conviction we entertained, that Prince Albert's patronage would restore the "noble science" to its palmy days, and that His Royal Highness's name would be "a tower of strength" in supporting it. Our anticipations have been realized. We have had the gratification of seeing the

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The newspapers, too, have stated that the Prince has "mounted the box," and "handled the ribands" with great dexterity, in a pony phaeton-and-four. Now, to all who are conversant with coaching, it "needs no ghost" to point out, that to drive a duodecimo" team well, requires no little skill. There must be the hand of a St. Vincent Cotton; and here we must digress, to make amende honorable to that right excellent and worthy Baronet, for having unintentionally omitted his name in our article on Coaching; 'twas like acting the play of "Hamlet" with the Prince of Denmark omitted. During the run of the Richmond Driving Club, he appeared, on every occasion, as "shooter" to the noble President: and who more qualified, either as dragsman or guard? As a coachman, there is no man in England that combines more of the requisites than the Cambridgeshire Baronet-hand, patience, nerve, and the knowledge of putting a team together. While on the subject of hand, we must give the reply of a celebrated "whip," formerly in John Walker's service, now on the Brighton and Richmond coach, to a far-famed driving Baronet, whose "turns out" are, and have been for years, conspicuous for good taste : "I cannot understand Mr. B (we love to be mysterious) how you little ones manage to hold so formidable a team together." Why, look you, Sir Henry, I'll tell you how it is: what you big uns doos by main strength, we little uns doos by artifice."

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As a

"shooter," too, Sir St. Vincent is first-rate; full of fun; replete with anecdotes of the road; kind and attentive to all; quick as lightning at the change; a rare one at putting to an awkward nag; eyes and hands always on the qui vive; knowing every piece of harness, from crupper to nose-band; now altering a coupling-rein, taking up or letting out a trace, or pole-chain; ready to take the shine out of a refractory team, or to catch hold of them over a heavy piece of ground, the gallant ex-tenth Hussar has ever proved himself an excellent guardsman. To return to the immediate matter in hand.

The Royal Hunt, on Easter Monday, A. D. 1840, will long be remembered, for it surpassed, in splendour, any former anniversary, even in the days when "George III. was King." The morning was bright, balmy, and exhilarating. Soon after twelve o'clock, the Queen, with the numerous and distinguished visitors at the Castle, attended by an extensive suite, proceeded to Ascot Heath, for the purpose of being present at the last "meet" of Her Majesty's buckhounds this year.

Prince Albert, "every inch a sportsman," was well up during the best part of the run, equipped in "scarlet," with undeniable boots and et ceteras, that would have excited the envy even of poor Brummel, in his best days. But how could it be otherwise, when we find that first-rate artist, Cook, of Poland-street, appointed Epicosmecalosomatist; which, for the benefit of country gentlemen, we translate " Body Decorator to His Royal Highness. Tailor sounds common; and really, in these days of refinement,-when butchers, dairymen, and donkey-men, are denominated Purveyors of meat, milk, and asses' milk; when corn-cutters dignify themselves into Chiropodists and Pedicures; when makers of squibs, crackers, and rockets, style themselves Pyrotechnists; when tooth-drawing is described as Dental Surgery; when hair-dressers and barbers write on the Philosophy of the Growth of Hair, and advertise, "Heads decorated, and Chins surveyed;" when a female advertises herself as "Epileuse de Cheveux Gris;" when shops are designated Repositories, Emporiums, Divans, Bazaars, and Temples of Fancy; when we hear of the Absolutorium Rectifier; the Exacuo and Metalometer Razor-strops; the Antigropolos Mud-boots; the Electro-magnetic Turning Lathe; the Eukerogeneion Soap; Ne-plus-ultra Needles; Odonto Dentifrice; Balm of Columbia; Diamine Ink; Photolypon Extinguisher; Oleum Pascens Oil; Pannus Corium Boots and Shoes; Tous les Mois, or Thulema Grits; Rien-qui-manque, Fish Sauce; "Pot de mille viandes," for luncheons; Zoorzaka Oil, for the Rheumatism; Fluide Renaissance, for changing carroty locks to sweet auburn," grey to black; when country gentlemen are denominated Squirearchy; shopkeepers, the Canelocracy (xanλos); the wealthy, Capitalocracy and Plutocracy,- -we strongly recommend some Neologist to coin a word for tailors (that is, if ours is not approved of)—for artists of the class of Stultz, Cook, Burghart, Nugee, and Willis, who work upon scientific principles, in contradistinction to that numerous host, or fry, of snips and botchers who realize Shakspeare's description:

VOL. III.

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"A sleeve! 'tis like a demi-cannon;

What up and down, carv'd like an apple tart:
Here's snip and nip, and cut, and slish and slash,
Like to a censer in a barber's shop;"

3 G

and who are only one shade removed from the ready-made "Réform your Tailor's Bills," and "reach-me-down" repositories.

While on the subject of Neologism, we sincerely hope that Chesterfield's advice to Doctor Johnson will be attended to; and that an appendix to that great lexicographer's work be added, containing the polite, though not strictly grammatical, words and phrases, on the principle of the "Dictionnaire Néologique à l'Usage des Beaux Esprit du Siécle," among which we claim the honour of one pure onethe Epicosmecalosomatist. We have taken up a thread that lengthens as we unravel it: we will cut it here; and, perhaps, resume it on another occasion.

What court in Europe could produce a more gratifying scene:—a Queen, adored by her people; a lovely and amiable being, in whose person is combined the virtues that dignify human nature, the accomplishments that embellish social life, and the graces that adorn a throne; a Prince, conspicuous as much for his manly virtues as his exalted station. There is one feature in the Prince's character which must be obvious to the most casual observer: His Royal Highness never forgets an act of respectful attention; and, in proof of it, invariably acknowledges it, in a way not only delicate, but gratifying; as a recent instance, the Prince made Mr. Davis, the royal huntsman, a splendid present of plate. We formerly expressed our hope that a reformed House of Commons would make a liberal and suitable provision for supporting the high rank and dignity of the Queen's Consort; and we still hope, that the occasion alluded to by the Right Honourable Baronet, the member for Tamworth, may occur, for an increase; when few, we think, will be found to advocate the cheese-paring system, so censured by the poet:

As in this article we have been led into giving a few quotations, with the fear of critics before us, we venture to hope that the following authorities upon the subject, will, in some measure, disarm them: D'Israeli, the elder, in his clever work, the "Curiosities of Literature," remarks: "Whenever we would prepare the mind by a forcible appeal, an opening quotation is a symphony preluding on the chords whose tones we are about to harmonize;" he adds, to make a happy quotation is a thing not easily to be done." Cardinal du Perron used to say that the application of a verse from Virgil was worth a talent; and Bayle has insinuated that there is not less invention in a just and happy application of thought, found in a book, than in being the first author of that thought.

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What a contrast did this scene of splendour afford to that annual piece of foolery, that most anxiously-looked-for, though "excessively and tarnatiously-to-be-laughed-at" (we use an Americanism) sporting affair-the Epping Hunt. At day-break the city of Cockagne poured forth a living stream of its smoke-dried holiday folk; every road was thronged with equestrians and pedestrians, singing the burthen of the song, "This day a stag must die."