FAREWELL FEAST OF ANGLING CLUB. 203 



such angling verses as we have had the good fortune to 

 keep in remembrance. 



We may here mention, that the usage of the club 

 in their festive meetings prohibited the introduction 

 of all songs, save and except such as were strictly 

 of a piscatory nature and that by a special indul- 

 gence only, granted by the president, was it rendered 

 allowable for the members present to launch out 

 among staves and rondos of the more ordinary 

 sorts. A law of this complexion was indeed re- 

 quisite, in order to keep up the spirit of the fraternity ; 

 and only on rare occasions, when a certain period of 

 the night had passed over, did the ruling member ever 

 think it proper to lay it aside. 



The following was sung by Harry Hackle, who, 

 along with Tim Gaff, had joined the company 

 shortly after Tom Otter had pronounced his length- 

 ened eulogium on James Hogg. These gentlemen, 

 it appears, popped in unexpectedly, on their return 

 from a shooting excursion held at some distance 

 from the club cottage. Three hares, a brace of old 

 blackcock, and thirteen plump partridges, formed 

 the produce of their day's sport all of which were 

 committed on arrival to the culinary hands of our 

 worthy and discreet hostess. 



[HACKLE sings.] 



