POIET.—Would not the fish be still better, or at least possess more curd, if caught in a net and killed immediately? In the operation of tiring by the reel there must be considerable muscular exertion, and I should suppose expenditure of oily matter. HAL.—There can be no doubt but the fish would be in a more perfect state for the table from the nets; yet a fish in high season does not lose so much fat during the short time he is on the hook, as to make much difference; and I am not sure, that the action of crimping after does not give a better sort of crispness to the fibre. This, however, may be fancy; we will discuss the matter again at table. See! our companion on the lake, the eagle, is coming down the river, and has pounced upon a fish in the pool near the sea. PHYS.—I fear he will interfere with our sport: let us request Ornither to shoot him. I wish to see him nearer, and to preserve him as a specimen for the Zoological Society. HAL.—O! no. He will not spoil our sport; and I think it would be a pity to deprive this spot of one of its poetical ornaments. Besides, the pool where he is now fishing contains scarcely any thing but trout; it is too shallow for salmon, who run into the cruives. POIET.—I am of your opinion, and shall use my eloquence to prevent Ornither from attempting the life of so beautiful a bird; so majestic in its form, so well suited to the scenery, and so picturesque in all its habits. THE INNKEEPER.—Gentlemen, dinner is ready. THE DINNER. HAL.—Now take your places. What think you of our fish? PHYS.—I never ate better; but I want the Harvey or Reading sauce. HAL.—Pray let me intreat you to use no other sauce than the water in which he was boiled. I assure you this is the true Epicurean way of eating fresh salmon: and for the trout, use only a little vinegar and mustard,—a sauce _à la Tartare_, without the onions. POIET.—Well, nothing can be better; and I do not think fresh net-caught fish can be superior to these. HAL.—And these snipes are excellent. Either my journey has given me an appetite, or I think they are the best I ever tasted. ORN.—They are good, but I have tasted better. HAL.—Where? ORN.—On the continent; where the common snipe, that rests during its migration from the north to the south in the marshes of Italy and Carniola, and the double or solitary snipe, become so fat, as to resemble that bird, which was formerly fattened in Lincolnshire, the ruff; and they have, I think, a better flavour from being fed on their natural food. HAL.—At what time have you eaten them? ORN.—I have eaten them both in spring and autumn; but the autumnal birds are the best, and are like the ortolan of Italy. HAL.—Where does the double snipe winter?