BIBL TOGRA PH Y OF A NGL TNG. 2 5 5 



habits, arising from the pursuit of the gentle art, has done 

 more to minimise the evil effects of the artificial life 

 peculiar to large cities than any system of ancient Sparta 

 could have done. 



As another example of the truth of the saying that 

 "there's nothing new under the sun," I may mention, in 

 connection with Walton's book, that it is suggested that 

 Heresbach, a person holding a high position in a conti- 

 nental court, was the originator of the types of Walton's 

 famous "Piscator," "Venator," and " Auceps." This 

 Heresbach wrote a work entitled De Venatione Auaipis 

 et Piscatioue,\n which his characters talk, much as Walton's 

 are made to talk, about their several sports. Although it 

 is true that this work was not translated into English, yet 

 it is not unlikely Walton had seen it. 



I may here introduce a question which has much 

 interested me during the preparation of this paper, and 

 which must be of much interest to practical anglers. This 

 is : — When was the reel or winch firs tused for trout fly- 

 fishing .-^ No writer upon angling in the century (the 17th) 

 now under review gives us any information upon this 

 point. In Walton {1653) we find that he speaks of its 

 use in salmon-fishing : — 



Piscator. — " Note also, that many use to fish for Sahiion witli a ring 

 of wire on the top of their rod, through which the line may run to as great 

 a length as is needful, when he is hooked. And to that end some use a 

 wheel about the middle of their rod, or near their hand, which is to be 

 observed better by seeing one of them, than by a large demonstration of 

 words.'' 



For trolling and pike-fishing the winch appears to have 

 been in use from the time of Dame Juliana downwards. 



