6 PRAISE OF FLY-FISHING. 



names, connected with the pulpit, the bar, bench, 

 studio, and the stage, that I could mention, are 

 constant and consummate practitioners of the 

 pleasing sport. Even whilst I wrote (Sept. 1847), 

 Her Majesty, the royal Consort, the eldest of their 

 royal offspring, and a princely party, were indulg- 

 ing in the pursuit with rod and line of salmon 

 and salmonidse in the waters of North Scotland. 

 Had the lexicographic pensioner been alive to 

 witness this, how rapidly he would dele that defi- 

 nition of angling of his, which purblindness dic- 

 tated ! Other field-sports may be more exciting 

 than artificial fly-fishing, but there is not one re- 

 quiring more skill, or calling into exercise more 

 intelligence and adroitness of mind and limb. A 

 quick eye, a ready and delicate hand, an appre- 

 hensive brain, delicacy in the senses of touch and 

 hearing, activity of limb, physical endurance, 

 persevering control over impatience, vigilant 

 watchfulness, are qualifications necessary to form 

 the fly-fisher. His amusing and chanceful strug- 

 gles, teeming with varying excitement, are with 

 the strongest, the most active, the most courageous, 

 the most beautiful and most valuable of river-fish, 

 and his instruments of victory are formed of 

 materials so slight, and, some of them, so frail 

 they are beautiful as well that all the delicacy 

 and cunning resources of art are requisite to 

 enable feebleness to overcome force. The large, 



