90 LITERATURE OF SEA AND RIVER FISHING. 



simplicity, and geniality of Walton's style. Still it is a 

 most delightful contribution to English angling literature, 

 and will doubtless ever remain a prime favourite in the 

 angler's library. 



The decade dating from 1830 was prolific of angling 

 authors. In 1832 Jesse published his Gleanings, "with 

 maxims and hints for an angler;" and later on appeared 

 his Anglers Rambles, of which he said — 



" Fish, nature, streams, discourse, the line, the hook. 

 Shall form the motley subject of my book." 



Richard Penn, a great-grandson of William Penn, of 

 Pennsylvania fame, published, in 1833, a partly practical 

 and partly humorous book, which has gone through four 

 editions, entitled Maxims and Hints for an Angler and 

 Miseries of Fishing, etc. This is one of the " Maxims " : — 



" If during your walks by the river-side you have marked any 

 good fish, it is fair to presume that other persons have marked 

 them also. Suppose the case of two well-known fish, one of 

 them (which I will call A) lying above a certain bridge, the 

 other (which I will call B) lying below the bridge. Suppose 

 further that you have just caught B, and that some curious and 

 cunning friend should say to you, in a careless way, ' Where did 

 you take that fine fish?' a finished fisherman would advise you 

 to tell your inquiring friend that you had taken your fish just 

 above the bridge, describing, as the scene of action, the spot 

 which, in truth, you know to be still occupied by the other 

 fish, A. Your friend would then fish no more for A, supposing 

 that to be the fish which you had caught ; and whilst he inno- 

 cently resumes his operations below the bridge, where he falsely 

 imagines B still to be, A is left quietly for you, if you can catch 

 him." 



And here is a brace of " Miseries " — 



" Taking out with you as your aide-de-camp an unsophisticated 

 lad from the neighbouring village, who laughs at you when you 



