' BIBLIOGRA PHY OF A NGLING. 263 



It will thus be seen that tip-stream fishing had its 

 advocates long ago. I shall only name two more works 

 of the last century, and these only because I have had the 

 good fortune to obtain the perusal of them. The first of 

 these books is called The Gentleman A iiglcr, and is said to 

 be " by a gentleman who has made angling his diversion for 

 upwards of twenty-two years." It is dated London, 1726. 

 The great value of this work is, that in it, for the first time 

 in any printed book, we are instructed how to ring our 

 rod and to use a winch in fly-fishing, or fishing of all 

 kinds. 



It will be very convenient to have Rings, or Eyes, (as some call them) 

 made of fine Wire, and placed so artifically upon your Rod from the one End 

 to the other, that when you lay your Eye to one, you may see through all 

 the rest ; and your Rod being thus furnished, you will easily learn from 

 thence how to put Rings to all your other Rods. Through these Rings your 

 Line must run, which will be kept in a due Posture, and you will find great 

 Benefit thereby. You must also have a Winch or Wheel affixed to your Rod, 

 about a Foot above the End, that you may give Liberty to the Fish, which, if 

 large, will be apt to run a great way before it may be proper to check him, 

 or before he will voluntarily return. 



In the Glossary is given a definition of "To Veer," which, 

 it is said, signifies " to let out your Line from your Wince or 

 Reel, after you strike a large Fish, lest in checking him too 

 suddenly, he breaks his Hold or your Line." 



In the same book is an angler's song, which is really 

 novel in style, and indicates a profound experience of life. 

 The quotation of a few stanzas will suffice : — 



