VI PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. 



charms of a newly-born. Its defects, though 

 perpetrated by myself, I have seen as plainly as 

 if they were done by others, and I have treated 

 them accordingly removed them remorselessly. 



I have, I think, improved the general style of 

 the volume; excised repetitions, rejected incor- 

 rect instruction, unsound suggestion, opinion, and 

 advice, and replaced them by accurate information 

 and counsel. The list of trout-flies I have short- 

 ened and simplified, and given no fancy patterns. 

 As it now stands, the list is perfect. The natural 

 history of salmon I have re-written. As a resum 

 of the habits of that fish, I can recommend it for 

 its precise truths. The list of salmon-flies for the 

 best rivers in the British Isles I have remodelled 

 after the best specimens in that gallery of ideal 

 insect beauties which I painted for ( The Book 

 of the Salmon.' 



At this third time of asking, gracious Public, 

 you shall take me absolutely for better, as the 

 4 or for worse ' can be no longer contingent. 



