large, clean, bustling town; the houses and lodgings are extremely good, and the hotels tolerably so; but unfortunately, like all other places which have only a short season, the prices in too many instances are exorbitant, and tend to drive many away, who, as the term goes, do not like" to pay through the nose," for everything they have. No sooner do you leave the train at Southampton than the system of extortion commences. The flyman, that drives you to the pier, asks double his fare; the porter that puts your luggage on board, inwardly mutters "scaly" if you do not present him with a hundred per cent. more than his legal charge; the boatmen at Cowes or Ryde, grumble-nay, are often insolent without you satisfy their exorbitant demands; the lodging-house keepers (there are many honourable exceptions) fancy all visitors must be "flats," and ask half-a-guinea a day for the smallest of sitting rooms, and the most diminutive of dormitories, which with the usual extras for kitchen fire, lights, washing, house linen, boot-cleaning, and gratuities to the maid-of-all-work, generally amount to nearly half the rent. The tavern keeper (again there are exceptions) is not behind his neighbours in making out a most alarming charge. "Two gents. dinner No. 1, soup, fish, roast duck, vegetables, 12s.; ale, 2s. ; bottle of sherry, 6s.; pint of old port, 4s. ; attendance, 1s. 6d. ; total £1 5s. 6d. for some weak vegetable soup, a fried sole or whiting, a thin specimen of the duck genus, some underboiled peas, a strong saline American cheese, a bottle, or rather as much of it as remains after it has gone through the usual process by the barmaid, of levying a toll of one or two glasses of negus out of it, a pint of what is termed fine military port, subject to the same negus impost, and for what is ironically termed attendance, the act of serving consisting of the occasional appearance of a superannuated or hobbledehoy waiter, who was always going when he cried "coming," and who hobbled or ran about the room from table to table clattering dishes, plates, and glasses together.

To those, then, who possess yachts above thirty tons, and who do not belong to the Royal Squadron, we should strongly advise their sleeping and living on board; they will find their comforts increased, and will escape having their purses drained through the voracious propensities of the land, sea, and river sharks that are to be found in the Isle of Vecta. Visitors at Cowes and Ryde will receive great attention from the members of the above-mentioned squadron and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club; and for any one who has friends belonging to either, there are no places where he can enjoy better society and yachting, without the expense of a vessel of his own, than at the above ports. The same courtesy is evinced by the members of the Royal Western Yacht Club, which was formed in 1833, and which hold their meetings at Millbay, Stonehouse; nothing can exceed the friendly feeling and hospitality which is extended to any brother sailor who goes to the "far west," not that we mean to infer that such good fellowship is confined to the abovementioned club, for we are proud to say, that wherever in England, Ireland, Scotland, or Wales, a commodore's pendant is found floating in the breeze, the reception of a brother-yachtsman is equally courteous and friendly.

At a time when the greatest anxiety exists as to whether Europe will not be involved in a general war, and we are actively preparing against any sudden breaking out of it, by offering bounty money

to all who will serve afloat, we think that a review of yachts by our Gracious Sovereign off Osborne would be most appropriate. No more beautiful sight could be imagined, or one that would raise our national character so highly in the eyes of foreigners, than to witness six hundred sail of private vessels, ably manned, under the command of the distinguished Commodore of the Royal Yacht Squadron; upon such an occasion we believe every species of craft would assemble, from the tenton Thames clipper to the stately brigantine; we should have the raking schooner, the fast-sailing cutter, the wholesome yawl, and the handy lugger; the respective captains and crews would vie with each other to display their nautical powers to the best advantage, the owners would take a pride in the trim and management of their "craft," and all might join in chorus

"Oh! is she not worthy the brave?

"Then, then, on her deck as all proudly we stand,
We'll shout o'er the wave,

"Till the echoes reach land,

The beautiful yacht is the home of the brave."

The world are gone mad about rifle volunteer corps, and there is scarcely a profession that has not come forward to assist in raising a force to expel intruders from our sea-girt island. Even the members of the Courts of Law have established a different practice from that which they have been accustomed to. Their cry to the foe will be ne exeat; the f. fa. will in future be an execution to be levied on the goods of the enemy; the venue will be changed from the Queen's Bench to Her Majesty's highways. There will be no nolle prosequi; no unwillingness in proceeding to action; the invader alone will be nonsuited. Cedant arma toga will be reversed; the gown will yield to arms. When on active service, dies non will be unknown. Prisoners will be exchanged by habeas corpus. Inter arma silent leges will be the cry when war breaks out, and lite pendente during the trial at arms; a considerable quantity of mittimuses will be served; sharp practice, ejectments, distress warrants and assaults will be the order of the day. Sergeants, learned in the law, emulating the deeds of the King of Sardinia, may raise themselves by their valour to the distinguished posts of corporals; juniors may become leaders, Queen's counsel colonels, judges generals, and the Lord Chancellor a field marshal. Shortly shall we have enrolled the Lincoln's Inn Light Infantry, clad in Lincoln green; the Gray's Inn Grenadiers, the Raymond Buildings Riflemen, the Ely-place Enfields, the Temple Tirailleurs, the Serle-street Sharpshooters, the Mitre-court Miniés, the Verulam-buildings Volunteers, the Fig-tree-court Fusileers, the Chancery-lane Heavies, slow and sure; the Pump-court Pioneers, the Brick-court Bombadiers, the Elm-court Engineers, the Inner Temple Irregulars. The Master of the Rolls will have to attend to the roll call; the musty old parchments may be converted into drums, and the gentlemen of the long robe (as they are occasionally termed by the newspapers) will doff that garment for a tunic of dark green. Since writing the above, we find that a martial spirit has roused the feelings of the inhabitants of Pimlico, who will naturally follow Sheridan's advice, and take" Pro bono Pimlico" as their motto; the surrounding locality of Westminster, we speak of its "back slums" may contribute their quota of rifle-men.

THE COQUET AND THE BREAMISH.

BY THE AUTHOR OF "WANDERINGS BY THE LOCHS AND STREAMS OF ASSYNT, AND THE NORTH HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND."

CHAPTER IV.

Wading-Wading Boots and Wading Stockings-How to reach the Coquet-Inns -Course of the Coquet-"The Thrum "- "The Black Burn"-Brinkburn Priory-The Brinkburn Water-Wading Boots should be frequently examined -Piper Haugh-Weldon Bridge-Climate of Northumberland.

Before proceeding to describe the various portions of the Coquet, I would inform the reader, that the wooded nature of its banks, as well as the numerous streams which cannot be reached from them, render it absolutely necessary that the angler should wade or "plodge" as it is generally termed in this district. While it is agreeable enough to immerse one's limbs in a river whose water has attained a high temperature during the months of June and July, it is neither pleasant nor safe to do so in early spring-especially in so variable a climate as that of Northumberland. During my novitiate in the handicraft I was accustomed to stand day after day waist deep in the Wye, with no other protection than that afforded by my ordinary clothing; and I must confess with thankfulness that I escaped with greater impunity than many in the Principality. It is an old proverb, that we cannot " put an old head upon young shoulders," and at fourteen years of age the care of health is scarcely compatible with our nature. Years however bring experience, and it is well for the disciple of Walton who has resisted consumption and asthma, if they bring not at least severe attacks of rheumatism. There are many men of robust constitutions who affect to despise any precautions to preserve them so to a good old age; and for a very considerable time they may wage war with wind, water, and cold; but sooner or later the most iron frame must suffer from constant exposure. Setting aside all fear with regard to health, the angler will certainly find himself more comfortable in emerging from the water perfectly dry instead of being thoroughly soaked, in which condition he is perhaps compelled to tramp for some miles ere he reach home. This great desideratum may be effectually ensured by leg coverings made of some waterproof material. I have used a variety, and have fairly tested their merits. The first which I adopted was a pair of boots, made after the fashion of those worn by sea-fishermen, and formed of strong grained leather which required to be frequently greased with tallow or other fat, to render them more supple, as well as more resistant to the water. These boots perhaps claim the advantage of durability over those made of any other material, at the same time this desirable quality is attended with two very serious inconveniences, viz., weight and stiffness. However neatly made they are extremely cumbersome, and though constantly greased they

will be found stiff and uncomfortable, as well as liable to leak occasionally.

A greater improvement has been made upon the old leather boot, by the India-rubber boots and stockings of Cording, and McIntosh. The boots are decidedly neater in appearance than the stockings, but I give a decided preference to the latter; not only because they are much cheaper, but also that they are more portable. The price of the boots is two guineas and a-half, while the stockings are fifteen shillings, which added to twelve shillings, the price of the shoes worn with them, makes a sum total of one pound seven. The stockings (which in point of shape resemble the boots and come up to the middle of the thigh) will fold into a small compass, to be carried conveniently in the angler's creel. In using the stockings it is desirable to put on a pair of woollen socks over them, in order to save them from the friction caused by sand and small stones collected within the shoe. Some persons dispense with this outside sock altogether, substituting both for sock and shoe a button boot. I have never worn anything but the ordinary shoe and sock, and cannot therefore speak from experience as to the advantages or disadvantages of the button boot. It has undoubtedly a neater appearance, but does not I believe so effectually prevent chafing. Another great advantage attending the waterproof stockings is this: that when after considerable servitude they have begun to leak or are worn out, they are replaced for fifteen shillings, while the shoes are applicable to the new ones. The waterproof boots and stockings are to be obtained in most of the principal towns from the various agents. When requiring repairs, however, they must be sent to the original makers in London.

The angler should be particular in turning the boots or stockings inside out, on each return from fishing, and be careful to hang them up either out of doors in the sun, or in a room at a considerable distance from the fire, for the purpose of drying the perspiration which has been confined within them. The operation of turning the old leather boots is very slow and troublesome, and even with those constructed on the modern plan, much more time and patience is required than with the stockings, which being composed of a supple material and having no sole attached, is as readily drawn inside out as a common pair of hose. By proper care to prevent chafing, and attention to the above advice, a pair of wading stockings will last for a considerable time; at least long enough to compensate for their prime cost, by saving the wader from rheumatism, toothache, and discomfort, at a less expense than doctors' or dentists' fees, to say nothing of the pain, and possible confinement to the house during a good fishing

season.

I purchased a pair of wading stockings in Newcastle-on-Tyne, which I used almost daily, for three seasons, on the Coquet, whose rocky and gravelly channel is well calculated for trying them; besides two seasons in Scotland amongst rivers and lochs of the same description. They are no longer, to use a nautical phrase, "sea worthy," and must be replaced if the author of this treatise be spared till next spring. I need scarcely say that these useful articles are not required when fishing with the salmon roe or worm in discoloured

water; but when using the drop minnow, or employed in shade fishing, they should be carried, as the angler will in all probability try the worm or spinning minnow during a portion of the day.

Supposing the angler to be equipped with a pair of wading boots or stockings, together with the other necessary articles of tackle, I now proceed to accompany him to the water, which, whether he come from the north or south, he can the most conveniently reach by stopping at the Acklington station on the Newcastle and Berwick railway. From Acklington to Felton is a distance by road of three miles, over which he may be conveyed by an omnibus to Felton or rather Thirston, as the south side of the Coquet is called. The omnibus, however, does not meet all the trains, but he can leave his luggage to be forwarded, and reach Thirston as a pedestrian by taking the footpath in about a mile and a-half. There are several inns at Felton, in which the angler may obtain quarters; but Miss Hine's (the Northumberland Arms), at Thirston, is the principal hotel; and every comfort and convenience, as well as obliging civility on the part of the hostess, will be met with. Permission is also given to anglers to fish that portion of the south side of the water belonging to His Grace the Duke of Northumberland.

The angler whose time may be circumscribed; cannot do better than pursue his sport over this reach of water and proceed downwards, but for the benefit of those who have, at all events, a few days to spare, I must beg him to put himself under my counsel and advice, and proceed up the water for some distance, and to fish the river carefully down, bestowing his attention chiefly upon the best portions, and casting his line with less care upon those more indifferent, while it is but very few that he should wholly disregard.

I am not inclined to accompany my angling companion to the source of the river, or indeed to commence operations for a

considerable distance below it.

The Coquet pursues its course for some time as a mere rivulet scarcely worth notice, and arrives at Harbottle ere it holds out much inducement to the angler to try a cast, from which it behoves him to abstain till he has gained leave from the proprietor, who is, however, very ready to grant it to any respectable applicant.

Permission being obtained, it is easy to fill your creel twice over; but the fish generally run very small in this portion of the river. Proceeding downwards, excellent trouting is to be obtained near Alwinton. The water here flows through beautiful pastoral scenery, without trees or bushes to molest the angler, or to interrupt the thorough overhand cast of the tyro. The same state of things continues for some distance beyond Rothbury, a short way below which we arrive at the Thrum, a remarkable gorge, where the river flows between two rocks, so close in their approximation as to induce a number of persons to leap the river, whereby one or two fell victims to their rashness. The Duke of Northumberland had this channel widened to prevent further accident. This is supposed to be the deepest part of the river. I have frequently fished the Thrum, although with no great success; but a little below where it emerges from its great depth, and distributes itself over a wide expanse, curdling and gurgling amongst rocks, I have frequently met with