announced, but no change seems to have been suggested for many years in the ancient methods adopted on the Royal River for the capture of barbel by ledgering, and roach and dace by ground-baiting, plumbing, and Thames punt-tackle. Angling in the Thames is a source of untold delight and innocent enjoyment for tens of thousands of persons every year, and long may the day be postponed when the modest privileges of the London anglers, whose opportunities are limited, and whose ambition in the matter of sport is easily satisfied, are reduced or interfered with. The deeper pool across the river, near the flour-mill at Marsh Lock, used to be a favourite resort of those anglers who pursued their sport from a boat; and the bank from the paper-mill towards Henley witnesses many an exercise of patience from the youthful Waltonian. The utilitarian spirit which has rendered necessary the hideous iron weir above the mill, and which is step by step destroying so many of the gems of Thames scenery, has, however, built a black barricade from the miller's boat-house to the head of the eyot, completely cutting off the communication by water with the further bank. The stream below is narrowed by the two islands in the middle of the channel, and rendered busy by that constant traffic of pleasure-boats which is inevitable in proximity to such towns as Henley and Reading. During the last quarter of a mile the familiar buildings and substantial bridge of Henley have opened to view, and we conclude the voyage to this stage amidst the bustle of boats and boatmen, and a parting glance at the head of Isis as chiselled by the Hon. Mrs. Damer. Water-plants are entwined around the face, which aptly looks in the direction of the river's source. /William Senior/. [Illustration: HENLEY REGATTA. (_From an Instantaneous Photograph._)] CHAPTER V. HENLEY TO MAIDENHEAD. The Best Bit of the River--Henley--The Church--The "Red Lion"--Shenstone's Lines--Henley Regatta--The First University Boat-race--Fawley Court--Remenham--Hambledon Lock--Medmenham Abbey and the Franciscans--Dissolution of the Order--Hurley--Lady Place and its History--A Strange Presentiment--Bisham Abbey and its Ghost--Bisham Church--Great Marlow--The Church and its Curiosities--"Puppy Pie"--Quarry Woods--The Thames Swans and the Vintners' Company--Cookham and Cliefden--Hedsor--Cliefden Woods--The House--Raymead--The Approach to Maidenhead.