TROUT AND ANGLING. 383 



their old fantastic roots on high," as effectually to 

 screen the view of the water. The only way to 

 fish in Marshpee brook, therefore, is by wading ; 

 and fortunately, its hard, gravelly bottom, so un- 

 common in other brooks, but remarkable in this, 

 renders it perfectly practicable. 



Notwithstanding our present predilection for 

 what we conceive to be a greater refinement of the 

 art, our thoughts must often recur to Marshpee 

 and its interesting associations, as being our first 

 love. Many are the friends who must recip- 

 rocate in the gratification of having wet a line to- 

 gether in this enticing stream, of which it may be 

 truly said, our lines have fallen in pleasant places ; 

 and among those of the most pleasing kind is 

 blended the recollection of a successful day, passed 

 with one whom we delight to honor, and one whose 

 skilful management in alluring the speckled captive 

 was, as it were, emblematical of that transcendent 

 talent, which, as a statesman and a " fisher of men," 

 has since made captives of us all. And here it 

 may be observed, that if great names were requir- 

 ed to sanction the diversion of angling, and give it 

 a preference, we can refer to Salmonia, that vade 

 mecum of the angler, not only for authority of such 

 a character, but for arguments founded on its ra- 

 tional enjoyment as a philosophic pursuit. 



Halieus there says, " I can find authorities of 



