A THEORIST AT FAULT 143 



on the table. "Now," said he, "these are very 

 bad throws, and would never catch a fish." This 

 assertion was applauded, and immediately carried 

 by acclamation. " To make a good cast, and keep 

 your fly in the rectangular position," continued the 

 maestro, " you must furl your line thus." So say- 

 ing, he gave the handkerchief a knowing whisk, 

 which extinguished both the candles. Thus he 

 argued with all his might, feeding the young 

 Oxonian with scientific maxims, who promised that 

 he would furl his line, and fish mathematically. 



The next morning no one could start with a 

 fairer prospect of sport than the said novice. He 

 was accompanied by Alan Beg, or Little Allan, 

 because he was told it was quite impossible for him 

 to catch a salmon without his assistance ; and he 

 was taught how to kill his fish par raison demon- 

 strative. But throw as he would, furl as he might, 

 he could by no means manage to keep his fly always 

 at right angles to his rod, although he was a most 

 excellent mathematician. At length, after having 

 lost seven favourite flies, and two casting lines, he 

 broke out in unqualified abuse of the system ; which 

 so enraged his gentle brother of the angle, that 

 high words arose, and they were on the point of 

 committing the duello on those very sands where it 

 is said Prince Charles drew up his forces. My 

 friend was asked to act as impartial second to both 

 parties, which he consented to, on condition only 

 that they should stand and fire so that the balls 

 might cross at right angles to each other. But 

 "Etes-vous fou," said he to the Oxonian, "de 

 Taller quereller, lui qui entend les angles, et qui 



