82 ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 



ribs what a modern can scarce stride across, who 

 swallowed bacons entire, and measured your brose 

 with a cauldron ! listen and wonder ! the de- 

 generacy of the age ! the spare-thrift and rigid 

 self-denial of us manikins ! How are we shrunk 

 and become sickly, having weak lives and sad di- 

 gestions ? What think ye of Harry Hackle, the 

 scarecrow ? this thin, pill-purged, frog- kneed an- 

 atomy ! 



Otter. Eat, Bill, eat ; you make no supper, man. 

 Hackle will hurl his fork betwixt your jaws, unless 

 you employ them to better purpose. 



Hackle. Ay will I, Master May-fly. 



May. Is he wrathful, Tom ? Hath he the canine 

 tooth ? Can he bite ? 



Otter. Do not tempt him, Bill ; lean sharks are 

 least to be trusted. But what is this ? a letter, 

 Meg. 



Enter MEG with a letter. 



" To the worthy and able Anglers assembled at 

 Inn." This is something facetious. 



Leister. A beggar's petition haply. 



Otter. Nay, Jack ; the paper is of honest size 

 and quality, clean withal, is well waxed, and neatly 

 impressed. 



" GENTLEMEN, 



" Understanding that you intend to reside a few 

 days in this neighbourhood for the purpose of amusement, 



