600 AMERICAN ANGLER'S BOOK. 



chapter I intended to accuse the City Gas-Works of having 

 spoiled the fishing in the Schuylkill ? or, how many friends 

 I had on whose statements I could rely ? or how many times 

 in my article on Fly-Fishing, I intended to use the term 

 " spring of the rod," on a single page ? He has even been so 

 regardless of my feelings, as to ridicule my drawing of the 

 Black Bass, on page 103, saying, that he always felt an 

 inclination to stick a " quid" in its mouth ; and laughed 

 outright, when I tried to explain that the expression of that 

 feature was intended to make the fish look gay. — I hope the 

 reader will regard my deficiencies as artist or author with, 

 more leniency. 



If I have at times laid down rules at variance with the 

 practice of experienced anglers, I would suggest, that there 

 may be more than one process of accomplishing the same 

 thing. With a certain class of fishers it may be, that 



The very head and front of my offending 

 Hath this extent, no more — 



that I have in as strong language as I could decorously use, 

 condemned unfair and unsportsmanlike angling, and held up 

 to scorn the mere Pot-fisher and Snob. If such be the case 

 I am content. " It is a very pretty quarrel as it stands," but 

 to every Honest Angler — whether a fly-fisher or a bait- 

 fisher, adept, or struggling with adverse circumstances in 

 his efforts to reach the higher branches of the art, I tender 

 my sincerest sympathies. 



And now, dear Reader, may you by keeping a conscience 

 void of offence, keep at peace with yourself and 



The Author. 



