NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 61 



an artist, because he's so forward in the art of 

 angling. 



TJieoph. lie observe the angler's axioms. 



Arn. So you must, if you intend to be an art- 

 ist. But how will you flourish a fly in that so- 

 litary water, whereby to compleat yourself lord 

 of your own exercise ? Consider it seriously. In 

 the next place, you must mind the season of the 

 year. Small rains, fair weather, and intermit- 

 tent sun-shine, all these contribute to your en- 

 tertainment ; but snow-broth and storms stand 

 in opposition to your recreation. You must al- 

 so observe the rack of clouds, and the hovering 

 winds that curl the streams. These circum- 

 stances judicially observed, an ordinary artist 

 may kill a trout, provided he purdue himself at 

 a reasonable distance. But what must be done 

 when the air is undisturbed, nor the least breath 

 of wind to fan the sholes ? Can you then kill a 

 fish to recompence your labour, and sweeten 

 your toil ? Come, lend me your rod, and Tie 

 hazard my skill to puzzle the art, or lay a trout 

 in your lap. 



Theoph. That's as much as to say, you will 

 give me handsel. 



Arn. And I do but little, if I do not do that. 

 Observe that bush, whose slender branches wan- 

 tonly dangle, sporting themselves on the cusp of 

 the water ; there's no stream you may observe, 



