HONEST ANGLERS. 101 



good father Isaac Walton," said something like 

 this with respect to honest anglers, but he and his 

 anglers were fond of nature, and they found her 

 by the sides of trout-streams, or beneath the shade 

 of a graceful beech tree. Here the kind old man dis- 

 coursed with his scholar on the works of the Great 

 Creator, and the charms of the surrounding scenery, 

 till, at the close of evening, the milk-maid sung her 

 sprightly lay, and the little hostelry received and 

 refreshed them. Here their weary limbs reposed 

 in sheets perfumed with lavender, while the wood- 

 bine and jessamine clustered round their windows, 

 and appeared to invite them, in the early dawn, 

 to inhale their sweets when mingled with the 

 " breath of morn." It is at such moments that 

 the grateful offerings of the heart are most fervent, 

 and therefore most acceptable to Him, who dwells 

 with those of a quiet and peaceful spirit, those who 

 look up to Him as the Guardian of their lives, and 

 the Creator of all around them. 



My God! all nature owns Thy sway, 

 Thou giv'stthe night, and then the day ! 

 When all Thy lov'd creation wakes, 

 When morning, rich in lustre, breaks, 

 And bathes in dew the opening flower, 

 To Thee we owe her fragrant hour, 

 And when she pours her choral song, 

 Her melodies to Thee belong. 



