Vill PREFACE. 
it, but by what is written in it; and I am not now 
addressing an angling audience for the first, though it 
may probably be for the last—time. 
For the rest, no attempt is made in these pages at 
fine writing. Flowery periods and apposite quotations 
occupy space; and, I take it, if any one reads this 
book it will be with the desire of getting as much in- 
formation as possible in the plainest and most con- 
densed form. 
It may be added that the Engravings of fish with 
which the several chapters are illustrated, have been 
taken from carefully selected specimens, obtained in 
every instance from the localities most celebrated for 
each particular species, and have been executed under 
my own eye. 
WOODLANDS, WEYBRIDGE, 
Iot Fanuary, 1870. 
