CHAPTER XYIII. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF ANGLING. 



"You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another belief, that an- 

 gling is an art, anil j'ou know tliat art better tlian others ; and that this triitli 

 is demonstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labor which you enjoy,— when 

 you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest yourself of your more seri- 

 ous business, and (which is often) dedicate a day or two to this recreation."— 

 IZAAK Walton. 



In the days of good old Father Izaak Walton, angling 

 was, as stated by him in the title of his famous book, the 

 "contemplative man's recreation." While this is no less 

 true in our own day, the art of angling has extended its 

 sphere of usefulness by becoming, not only the recreation 

 of the contemplative man, but of the active, stirring, over- 

 worked business and professional man, as well. While in 

 the comparatively slow-coach days of the quaint Walton 

 it was rather a recreation of choice, it has, in this age of 

 steam become, in a measure, one of necessity. 



The American idea of rest and recreation seems to have 

 been based upon the Mosaic law of resting on the seventh, 

 or last day of the week. A man must first gain a com- 

 petency, and rest afterwards, even if it took seven times 

 seven years to gain the first condition — wealth — for then, 

 only, would he be entitled, or in a proper condition to 

 enjoy his otium cum dignitate. 



In the rapid race for wealth and distinction, men labor, 

 night and day, with mind and muscle, especially during 



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