OBJECT OF FISHING. 25 



and he has taken it. A fine fish ; I think at 

 least 4 lbs. This is the largest fish we have 

 yet seen; but in the deep water still lower 

 down, there are still greater fish. One of 

 5 lbs. I have known taken here, and once 

 a fish a little short only of 6 lbs. 



PoiET. — I have just landed a fish which I 

 suppose you will consider as a small one ; yet 

 I am tempted to kill him. 



Hal. — He is not a fish to kill, throw him 

 back, he is much under 2 lbs., and, as I ought 

 to have told you before, we are not allowed to 

 kill any fish of less size ; and I am sure we 

 shall all have more than we ought to carry 

 away even of this size. Pray put him into the 

 well, or rather give him to the fisherman to 

 turn back into the water. 



PoiET. — I cannot say I approve of this 

 manner of fishing : I lose my labour. 



Hal. — As the object of your fishing, I 

 hope, is innocent amusement, you can enjoy 

 this, and show your skill in catching the ani- 

 mal ; and if every fish that took the May-fly 

 were to be killed, there would be an end to 

 the sport in the river, for none would remain 

 for next year. 



