THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
135
To the Tench much the same remarks apply, but there is a better chance
of catching Tench than Carp, as the former are not equally cunning.
Barbel. This fish grows to a large size in the Lea. I have seen great
numbers of them below Kings Weir and at Sewardstone some years ago, but
they are seldom taken by anglers, Bayley, the proprietor of the waters at
the latter place, told me that the celebrated Bayley of Nottingham came to
see what he could do there, but he had no success with the Barbel.
The Gudgeon was a great favourite with London anglers. It is a bold fish,
and greatly esteemed for the table. At one time they were very numerous in
some parts of the Lea. Bets have been made to take sixty gudgeon in an
hour, a feat often accomplished.
The Bleak (called by Walton "the fresh-water sprat") is abundant in the
Lea. Like Roach and Dace they are gregarious, swimming in shoals, and
taking flies on the surface.
The Loach, Stickleback and Minnow are met with in great quantities.
The Bream and the Ruff for Pope) are not uncommon in the Lea.
The Eel occurs in good numbers, and of splendid quality for the table.
Stone Loach very plentiful, and Bullhead not uncommon.
The Grayling. Attempts have been made to introduce this fish into the
Lea. I have read that in the summer of 1864 as many as 1,500 Grayling were
turned into the river at Brayfordbury Park, but the fish has not been much
reported since as having been hooked by any of the Lea Anglers."
A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Davies, both for his paper
and for the information imparted during the excursion.
We now pass the smiling village of Stanstead, with the banks decorated
by pollard willows, the neighbouring gardens being very Dutch-like and
quaint. Before reaching Rye House, the appointed mid-day resting place,
one member, Mr. Benjamin Winstone, who is on board, afforded the party an
opportunity of acquiring some information on the history and construction of
that historic building. Mr. Cole read for him some extracts from a paper
prepared for a visit of the Leland Society some years ago, but which was not
read on that occasion for want of time. The paper was entitled :—
RYE HOUSE, 1685.
By BENJAMIN WINSTONE, M.D., F.C.S., &c.
" Rye House is well known as a place of entertainment for school
children and others, who resort to it for recreation in large numbers during
the summer. It has, in addition to its pleasure grounds, a fine Tudor Gate-
house, the remains of the ancient Manor House ; and it possesses moreover
an historical interest from its association with the well-known plot, to which
it gave the name ; a conspiracy having for its object the assassination of
Charles the Second and his brother the Duke of York on their return from
Newmarket ; as the commencement of a general rebellion throughout the
kingdom."
After some general observations on the historical authenticity of the
conspiracy, and quoting opinions from various authors, Mr. Winstone
proceeds :—
" The plot to revolutionize the kingdom, which was to have had its
commencement in the assassination of the king and his brother entirely failed.