ADDRESS 



TO THE READERS OF THE FOREGOING PAGES. 



It is but a few months since I first made my bow to the public. I 

 had my say and dismissed the reader with my '^ pax vohiscum;" httle 

 deeming that I should so shortly be called upon to make my second 

 appearance. Within this brief space of time, I have received in- 

 structive epistles from anglers who have made specialties of particular 

 branches of our gentle craft. Also kind notes and messages from those 

 with whom I find myself in communion in spirit, though we know not 

 each other in the flesh ; and from old men and venerable ladies of our 

 own city, who have professed to me that the simple narrations aud idle 

 gossip of the preceding pages have awakened in them happy recollec- 

 tions of scenes and sports of their childhood aud youth. I wish I 

 could with propriety quote here a page or two from the letter of a 

 dear old friend — physician by profession and angler at heart, and 

 ardent lover of nature — words, to use his own language, " soft and 

 soothing as the Castle of Indolence, picture-written as the Seasons, 

 and innocent as Galatea." Or tell how I was lifted above the sphere 

 of a mere angling author, when certain of the softer sex who are now 

 descending the shady side of the hill of life — ladies who teach all the 

 ologies and proprieties — sought my acquaintance, and how I have 

 since passed in their society hours of refining converse and elevating- 

 thought. I refrain though, and come down from my stilts, lest I 

 should be thought egotistical ; but I shall never forget those hours. 

 The old doctor's letter I will keep as a sacred trophy, and theme for 

 future inspiration. 



It has been suggested to me by a veteran angler, that a treatise on 



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