gAX^MOlf ANGLING IN IRELAND. 49 



and a light heart, is an inexpressible delight. It seems to bring 

 back the innocent patriarchal days, when the strife and turmoil 

 of busy life were well nigh unknown, and now, after the lapse of 

 thousands of years, men still turn to the old nomadic life, as to a 

 normal state ; and in after years remember their too brief wander- 

 ings as the brightest period of their existence. 



William Scott, the straightforward and intelligent proprietor of 

 the hotel, shook his head mournfully, when consulted as to our 

 prospects. The di'ought formed the burden of his song in fact, 

 made up the greater part of it, and, like the ancient chorus, he 

 denounced all kinds of disagreeable things. " Of course the first 

 run," he said, '* was safe and snug enough ; the high waters of 

 February had increased the stock ; nevertheless he wished them 

 fresher and in better spirits ; for his part, he liked to see the 

 orathers fierce as blazes tearing away like mad ; but there was no 

 help for it, and gintlemen must do the best they could." Then came 

 the argument. Latterly, few or no fish were able to pass the shallows 

 on the upper portion of the River Drowse ; in short, the supply was 

 cut off, and we were likely to be starved out. However, there was 

 balm in Gilead, for we, being early in the field, might hope to fatten 

 where later comers would run short. 



On the evening of our arrival we found letters containing most 

 kind permission from the three noblemen and gentlemen to whom the 

 shores of the lake belong, which, we may add, is never refused to 

 strangers who apply for it. Moreover, Archy Cathcart and his mate 

 were selected as our boatmen, at the reasonable rate of 24s. per 

 week, and hardier fellows or more zealous anglers it would be 

 difficult to find. 



Your Irish attendant is a man sni generis ; at least, there is nothing 

 like him in our own land. Compare him with an English game- 

 keeper be that functionary land rat or water rat Pat is as much 

 like him in body and mind as he is in dress, and in this particular 

 there is no great degi'ee of comparison. Our well-fed friend in neat 

 velveteen, gaiters, and boots, stalks solenmly after you, as though he 

 had reluctantly made up his mind to do a disagreeable duty. He 



