ANGLING.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS ON THE PRINCIPLES OF THE ANGLER AND HIS ART.

ANGLING, or the art of fishing with rod and line, includes those branches of the piscatorial trade which are usually followed, not so much for profit, as for pleasant recreation. That the practice of "casting angles into the brook" had its origin in necessity, the mother of so many inventions, can hardly be doubted; but it is equally clear that the refined skill exhibited in this pursuit at the present day has been derived from leisure and the love of sport, aided by the more delicate gear which modern ingenuity has invented for the deception of the finny race.

The comparative merits of angling, and of the kindred occupations of the fowler and the huntsman, are not likely to be determined by any portraiture

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which a lover of these exciting amusements might draw of their various excellencies, but must depend on the tone and temper of mind possessed by different persons, and their greater or less accordance with individual tastes. This much, however, may be safely stated as a general and admitted truth, that the value of a pursuit increases in proportion as it becomes attainable by the mass of our fellowcreatures; and as angling is a much cheaper and more convenient pleasure than either hunting or shooting, it may, in so far as regards those advantages, claim a decided preference. Be it remembered that Dr. Johnson's description of a rod with a fly at one end and a fool at the other is not admitted among the memorabilia of the lovers of old Izaak Walton.

The recreation of angling has been followed by many of the best and wisest of men in modern ages. Sir Henry Wotton found from experience, that after prolonged study or worldly occupation, it was "a rest to his mind, a cheerer of his spirits, a diverter of sadness, a calmer of unquiet thoughts, a moderator of passions, a procurer of contentedness;" and besides the immediate excitement of the sport itself, few occupations yield so much pleasure to the lovers of rural scenery and the admirers of the picturesque. The most beautiful scenes in nature usually adorn or consist of the banks of lakes and rivers; and the composition of a perfect landscape, whether in nature or art, is incomplete without the accessory of either tranquil or flowing waters. The pursuits of the artist and the angler

are therefore peculiarly compatible, and each lends an interest to the other.

The lofty woods, the forests wide and long,
Adorn'd with leaves and branches fresh and green,
In whose cool bowers the birds with many a song
Do welcome with their quire the summer's queen ;
The meadows fair, where Flora's gifts among
Are intermixed with verdant grass between ;
The silver scaled fish that softly swim
Within the sweet brook's crystal watery stream:

All these, and many more of His creation,
That made the heavens, the angler oft doth see;
Taking therein no little delectation,

To think how strange, how wonderful they be ;
Framing thereof an inward contemplation,
To set his heart from other fancies free;

And whilst he looks on these with joyful eye,
His mind is rapt above the starry sky.

This, in solemn truth, is the spirit in which angling, and each pleasant recreation should ever be regarded. Let all innocent amusements be sought after with assiduity and gladness, if in due subordination to more pressing or important duties,and especially, with never ceasing reference to the great Giver of all earthly blessings, of which a tranquil and contented disposition is the chief. Let the angler in the midst of all his light amusement remember to what high and holy calling his ancient predecessors were promoted, and so walk

"As ever in his great task master's eye,"

though casting not his nets by Galilean shore. When the cheerful spring and all its glad remembrances rejoice his heart, let him forget not in re

dundant health, how many worthier far than he lie on a bed of sickness racked with pain, or with sinking spirits toil for daily bread,—no murmuring stream within their downcast view, no freshening air around their throbbing temples. If summer heat o'ercomes him, and he rests, not undelighted, by grey romantic keep, or rustic bridge, or old umbrageous tree, let him remember while gazing on these frail memorials-in reference to his puny frame, how long enduring!-his immortal state, and think with solemn heart-felt awe upon that "shadow of a great rock," within which the weary and heavy laden rest for ever. If autumn's ruddy streams are roaring loud, let him not as one rejoicing in his strength, trust to that strength alone, and so

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surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh thee." When stormy winter has embroiled the sweet serenity of this green earth, and with "elemental strife" rages among icy crags and leafless trees, and the shepherd's hut and the lone mountain shieling lie buried beneath the drifting snows, then let the angler, with grateful if not with gladsome heart, acknowledge the blessings of his fireside comforts, the numerous home delights with which he is surrounded, the goodness and mercy which have followed him "all the days of his life." If he is the son of living parents, let him reverence their grey hairs,-the first commandment with promise. If, his quiver full of arrows, he be the fond father of many hopes, " provoke not your children to wrath," but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. If childless,

keep God's covenant, and he will give you a place and a name "better than of sons and of daughters." If master, "forbear threatening," knowing that there is no respect of persons in heaven. If servant, be obedient to your master, not with eye service, but in singleness of heart,-inasmuch as ye all know that whatsoever good thing any man doeth," the same he shall receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free."

Old Markham, he lived in days gone by, though we know not in truth whether he was old or young— in his Country Contentments, taking a wise survey of the subject, describes not only the outward apparel, but the inward qualities of an angler. He must be generally accomplished in all the liberal sciences, and, as a grammarian, ought to be qualified to write and discourse of his art in true and fitting terms. He must be possessed of sweetness of speech to entice others to so laudable an exercise, and of strength of argument to defend it against envy and slander. "Then must he be strong and valiant, neither to be amazed with storms, nor affrighted with thunder; and if he is not temperate, but has a gnawing stomach that will not endure much fasting, and must observe hours, it troubleth the mind and body, and loseth that delight which only maketh pastime pleasing." "He must be of a well-settled and constant belief, to enjoy the benefit of his expectation; for then to despair, it were better never to be put in practice: and he must ever think when the waters are pleasant, and any thing likely, that there the Creator of all good things hath stored up