REMARKS ON ANGLING. 337 



When genial Spring a living warmth bestows, 

 And o'er the year her verdant mantle throws, 

 No swelling inundation hides the grounds, 

 But crystal currents glide within their bounds : 

 The finny brood their wonted haunts forsake, 

 Float in the sun, and skim along the lake ; 

 With frequent leap they range the shallow streams. 

 Their silver coats reflect the dazzling beams. 

 Now let the Fisherman his toils prepare. 

 And arm himself with every watery snare ; 

 His hooks, his lines, peruse with careful eye, 

 Increase his tackle, and his rod re -tie. 



My advice, however, is to prepare every thing need- 

 ful while — 



The swelling inundation hides the ground, 



and not have it to do — 



When genial Spring a living warmth bestows. 



Thus the Angler may employ some of his leisure 

 time for future pleasure ; but it is well to recollect, 

 that Solomon says, " the wise man looks to the end 3" 

 for Anglers, as well as other sportsmen, are unable to 

 follow their favourite amusements when infirmities 

 and old age arrive : it would, therefore, be wise to 

 cultivate the mind to get a taste for literature, as a 

 resource in solitude, infirmities, or when age prevents 

 the Sportsman from using his angle, or gun. A taste 

 for reading may prevent the aged or infirm from 

 becoming querulous, captious, or, probably, from too 

 frequently applying to the bottle for solace, a failing 

 2 G 



