22 SALMONIA. 



that island with its poplars and willows, and 

 the flies making it their summer paradise, 

 and its little fishing house, are all in charac- 

 ter; and if not extremely picturesque, it is 

 at least a very pleasant scene, from its ver- 

 dure and pure waters, for the lovers of our 

 innocent amusement. 



Hal. — It is ten o'clock: you may put up 

 your rods, or take rods from the hall; for so 

 hospitable is the master of this mansion, that 

 every thing is supplied to our hands. And 

 Physicus, as you are the only one of our 

 party ignorant of the art of fly fishing, I will 

 fit you with a rod and flies; and let me ad- 

 vise you to begin with a line shorter than 

 your rod, and throw at first slowly and with- 

 out effort, and imitate us as well as you can. 

 As for precepts, they are of little value, 

 practice and imitation will make you an 

 angler. 



Poietv — I shall put together my rod, and 

 fish with my own flies. It may be fancy, 

 but I always think I do best with tackle 

 with which I am used to fish. 



Hal. — You are right ; for fancy is al- 



