Northern memoirs, calculated for the meridian of Scotland wherein most or all of the cities, citadels, seaports, castles, forts, fortresses, rivers and rivulets are compendiously described : together with choice collections of various discoveries, remarkable observations, theological notions ... : to which is added the contemplative & practical angler ... / writ in the year 1658, but not till now made publick, by Richard Franck ...

LAMPRE.

The Lampre (or Suck-stone) frequently ac∣costs the Streams in Severn, and is conversant also with many other Rivers in the Kingdom of England. A Fish that makes more sport in the Pie than the Pool; but of no great acquain∣tance nor familiarity with Anglers; and that is the reason he is so little discours'd, as if there were no such thing in being: But assure your self there is, and the plenty of such in the Ri∣ver Cam, and some other Rivers, as Thames and Trent; that I dare to assert and divulge them numerous: But as torpid Deeps do not always delight him, so transparent Streams do not al∣together transport him; nor admires he the Torrents of rapid Rivers: And because no con∣stant Housekeeper, we have considered him as unconstant to Diet. It's true, I have no Com∣mission to assign him a Traveller, and yet he is seldom or rarely at Home. At Home did I say? surely I mistook my self, because he has no Home to go to, who lives like an Intruder, insinuating himself into all sorts of Company, and puts a Foot under every ones Table: for we find him a Fish altogether in suspicion; therefore seldom admitted among the scaly Society; who prefers Sand and Gravel-beds infinitely before muddy Recrements; and loves to be casting and suck∣ing Stones, because it's a great part of his Life and Maintenance; except otherwhiles he stum∣bles upon Offil or Garbage, which if he do, he feasts himself like a Country-Farmer; when at

other times, like a shotten Herring, he is forced to take up with shorter Commons; and such are the roots of Segs and Candocks, which as∣sign him a sutable Sauce to his Diet.

I never yet knew an Angler with the Rod, that designed a Day's Diversion with this piece of Suspicion. It is true, I have heard him va∣riously discoursed, and perhaps as often as other Men, have seen him make Circles in his own Element, but irregular ones out on't; for I have been at his Death sometimes with an Instru∣ment, and sometimes without it; but never at his Destruction with the Rod and Line. The next enquiry will be, how we shall surprize this Argos, and reduce him, in some measure, to the Angler's Designs. In order to that, some court him with Loaches, some with Minews, some with Dew-worms, a small Gudgeon, or toasted Cheese: but the Maw of a Beast best pleaseth him of any thing; and truly I fancy it the most natural Bait for such a kind of a nasty Fish, that nothing can surprize but the noosed Net; ex∣cept he happens to meet with the berbed Speer.

The Lampre loves a gravely Bottom best, And's fam'd for Pie-meat more than all the rest. I needs must say the Angler takes a Prize That takes this Argos; or this Fish All-eyes.