102 



AUGUST. 



leisurely moves a few feet lower. I am almost 

 ashamed to speak again of the Coachman, but 

 rely on it, if you are anxious to gain ground, 

 you must give the reins to the Coachman. 



In this month I entered on my worldly career, 

 and had (as I grew up) flattered myself that I 

 was, for my age, (being then five and twenty,) as 

 expert and experienced an Angler as you well 

 could meet withal ; but, as a would-be leamied 

 lady once said to me, you must not lay that 

 curious unction to your soul. I met a young 

 gentleman about twelve years of age, wielding 

 the rod with wonderful dexterity, and, (as his 

 basket proved,) extraordinary success. You may 

 imagine my surprise at one so young, possessing 

 such unbounded skill. When I questioned him 

 upon its origin, he informed me that his father 

 was a neighbouring clergyman, a great and en- 

 thusiastic Angler, by whom he was encouraged 

 to become the same. " You may think,"" said he, 

 (with a very arch smile,) " that so young as I am, 

 my time might be better and more profitably 



