CHAPTER XII 



Fishing in River^ Stream^ and Loch 



T ET those abuse the practice of field-sports who 

 -"- ' will, it is a question of the feelings, not of 

 reasoning. We believe that Providence knew what 

 it was about when it implanted an ardent devotion 

 to the chase in the bosoms of most lovers of the 

 country. The passion of hunting up wild things, 

 and following them in their haunts in woodland, 

 hedgerow, and rush-grown pool, is never more in- 

 tense than in innocent childhood ; though it is 

 confirmed into a rooted habit of life with the 

 scientific successes of youth and manhood. It would 

 be hard upon us if, in a more advanced state of 

 civilisation, we had to renounce the recreations of 

 the virtuous savage. 



And although we cannot see ourselves as others 

 see us, or judge ourselves as our posterity will judge 

 us, it is our opinion that in indulgence in various 

 sports we Englishmen of this present generation 

 must have nearly hit ofF the happy mean. Some 

 of our tolerated amusements may still be open to 



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