60 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



angler's direction, and the mediums of art, are 

 the Pole-star you must steer by. 



Theoph. You do well to reckon up my errors, 

 and lay down rudiments to oblige me to reform. 

 All that I sollicite is, to be master of my exercise; 

 that theory and practice be made legible and in- 

 telligible ; Nature, then, will demonstrate her- 

 self obvious to the artist. 



Arn. You have hit the mark ; it's true what 

 you say. Art, at the best, is but Nature's imi- 

 tation ; instructions made legible gratify the in- 

 genious, whilest the ignorant read but lectures in 

 their ABC. 



Theoph. Then I need not despair. However, 

 as I'm solicitous after the secrets of the art, di- 

 rect me how to flourish a fly in a torpid, deep, 

 and melancholy water, such as this is. 



Arn. Stand close, be sure, that's your first 

 caution ; and appear least in sight, that's your 

 second direction ; and dibble lightly on the sur- 

 face of the water, that's your third and final in- 

 struction. Now order and manage the affair as 

 well as you can. 



Theoph. So I will ; and fancy that a city is 

 more than half conquered, where resolution has 

 got footing in the besieger's camp. 



Arn. From your inference I must conclude, 

 that confident Theophilus will approve himself 



