THE PHILOSOPHY OF ANOLING. 355 



question is, rather, whether you be capable of learninj^ 

 it?'' 



Exactly so, Father Izaak ; tlie question is, not merely 

 "to be or not to be," but whether one is "capable" of 

 learning it ; for though any one may become a bait-fisher, 

 it is not every one that can learn the fly -fisher's art ; for, 

 continues AValton, "he that hopes to be a good angler, 

 must not only bring an inquiring, searching, observing 

 wit, but he must bring a large measure of hope and 

 patience, and a love and propensity to the art itself; but 

 having once got and practiced it, then doubt not but 

 angling will prove to be so pleasant, that it will prove to 

 be, like virtue, a reward to itself." 



