That the Fleet was once a very serviceable stream there can be no doubt, from what Stow relates. The level of the ground is favourable to the presumption, that its current widened and deepened for navigable purposes to a considerable extent in the valley between the Bagnigge-wells-road and Gray’s-inn, and that it might have had accessions to its waters from other sources, besides that in the vicinity of Hampstead. Stow speaks of it under the name of the “_River of Wels_, in the west part of the citie, and _of old_ so called of the _Wels_;” and he tells of its running from the moor near the north corner of the wall of Cripplegate postern. This assertion, which relates to the reign of William the Conqueror, is controverted by Maitland, who imagines “great inattention” on the part of the old chronicler. It is rather to be apprehended, that Maitland was less an antiquary than an inconsiderate compiler. The drainage of the city has effaced proofs of many appearances which Stow relates as existing in his own time, but which there is abundant testimony of a different nature to corroborate; and, notwithstanding Maitland’s objection, there is sufficient reason to apprehend that the river of Wells and the Fleet river united and flowed, in the same channel, to the Thames. [24] Stow’s Survey. [25] Noorthouck. [26] Maitland. Pennant. [27] Letter from Bagford to Hearne. [28] Nelson’s History of Islington. ~January.~ If you are _ill_ at this season, there is no occasion to send for the doctor--only _stop eating_. Indeed, upon general principles, it seems to me to be a mistake for people, every time there is any little thing the matter with them, to be running in such haste for the “doctor;” because, if you are going to die, a doctor can’t help you; and if you are not--there is no occasion for him.[29] * * * * * ANGLING IN JANUARY. Dark is the ever-flowing stream, And snow falls on the lake; For now the noontide sunny beam Scarce pierces bower and brake; And flood, or envious frost, destroys A portion of the angler’s joys. Yet still we’ll talk of sports gone by, Of triumphs we have won, Of waters we again shall try, When sparkling in the sun; Of favourite haunts, by mead or dell. Haunts which the fisher loves so well. Of stately Thames, of gentle Lea, The merry monarch’s seat; Of Ditton’s stream, of Avon’s brae, Or Mitcham’s mild retreat; Of waters by the meer or mill, And all that tries the angler’s skill. _Annals of Sporting._ * * * * * PLOUGH MONDAY. The first Monday after Twelfth-day is so denominated, and it is the ploughman’s holyday.