8o LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



this branch of angling very systematically, and of dissemin- 

 ating more correct views of it than had hitherto appeared. 



Blome's Gentleman's Recreation, in 1686, is another of 

 the " Inquire-within-upon-Everything " type of books, 

 which have almost as many subjects treated of in them as 

 has that tediously interesting " Anatomy of Melancholy," 

 by Burton ; and Northern Memoirs, by Franck, the author 

 already alluded to as tilting at Walton, was published in 1694. 

 We cannot forbear quoting the following delicious little 

 bit of his re the grayling : — 



" The umber or grayling, is an amourous fish that loves his 

 life ; his mouth waters after every wasp, as his fins flutter after 

 every fly ; for if it be but a fly, or the produce of an insect, out 

 of a generous curiosity, he is ready to entertain it. Smooth and 

 swift streams enamour him, but not a torrent ; yet, for this fly- 

 admirer, there is another bait — the munket or sea-green grub, 

 generated amongst owlder trees, also issues from willows, sallow, 

 &c. Fish him finely, for he loves curiosity, neat and slender 

 tackle, and lady-like. You must touch him gently, for he is 

 tender about the chaps ; a brandling will entice him from the 

 bottom, and a gilt-tail will invite him ashore." 



The True A rt of A ngling, by J. S., was first published in 

 1696, and has passed through many editions. Only a few 

 of the earlier ones have escaped the wear and tear of time. 

 It has been suggested that this J. S. was none other than 

 the owner of the good old English name of John Smith, 

 who in 1684 published one of those numerous patchwork 

 books, containing treatises on a multiplicity of rural sports 

 and pastimes. John Smith, in his volume, included the 

 " making of fireworks," and the " noble recreation of 

 ringing." This brings us to the close of the Waltonian 

 period and the end of the seventeenth century. 



All interested in old angling literature will rejoice to 



