ne of the spoons, of
which America is the cradle.

The black bass, it may be premised, has been transplanted to many
states where it did not previously occur, and has taken most kindly to
the waters of middle and eastern states, where the croakers predicted
it would and could never thrive. The fly-fishers prefer wading, and
use a fly large as a small salmon pattern, gut of Mayfly strength, line
of corresponding size, and the light ten-feet built-up cane rods, which
were first brought into general action in this country. The custom is
either to cast across, with a tendency downwards, and to work the fly
slightly as it swings round, or to cast down and work back. Three or
two flies are used. Minnow fishers are in a minority, and fly-fishing
is reckoned the correct method by the angler. Dr. Henshall had had so
many "records" that he could not remember offhand his best with fly;
but his heaviest bag--and he did not confess it with any pride--was,
spinning with the minnow, seventy black bass, averaging 2 lb., in a
day. The biggest fish are in the lakes; but a 4-lb. specimen is large
anywhere, save in the Gulf States, where all fish seem to reach
abnormal dimensions. June and July are the best months for sport in
these North-Western States; August, as in England, is a depressing
month for the angler; but fishing becomes merry in September and
October, and is pursued with zest in the cool evenings, at which time
the gorgeous tints of the American fall are deepening. Altogether the
autumn fishing is the most enjoyable; for, while the conditions just
indicated are to be considered, the water has become thoroughly
settled, and there are no fears of flood and disturbance. After
spawning, the bass is quickly in condition; as a matter of fact, it is
seldom out of it.

There was some rare fun one day with a brace of alligators sent by
express from Florida. They were the patriarchs of a considerable
consignment, and arrived pretty miserable five days back in wooden
boxes. They were put into a lagoon in the open grounds. Then we had
bitter wintry gales with snow flurries, and a blizzard which, had the
season been earlier and the ground frozen, would have given us a foot
of snow. Anyhow, it made the temperature of the lagoon a very
unsuitable figure for the alligators, and they had to be looked
promptly after. They were driven at length into a bay with poles, and
pretty furious they were, lashing round with their tails a