66 NOUTHEttN MEMOIRS. 



valuable considerable loss, indeed) to lose the 

 value of two-pence, to purchase a fish worth 

 tenpence ? Pray, what is it more than earnest- 

 ing the river with a hook and line, to stem 

 the adventure ? which I value not a rush, was 

 every hair a thread of gold, and the barbed 

 hook of superfine silver ; I'd expose the worth 

 on't for the fin of a fish. 



Am. This resolution surmounts the adven- 

 ture. 



Theoph. Besides all this, here's another obser- 

 vation well worth your own and the angler's con- 

 sideration ; and that is, our labour and travel : 

 It's no more than a walk to trample the delici- 

 ated and cultivated fields, on the fragrant banks 

 that bridle the meandring streams. O, who 

 would not solicite patience to crown such charm- 

 ing rewards, intail'd upon anglers, in their soli- 

 tary recreations ? Instruct me, dear Arnoldus, 

 in this liberal art, and ingenuously tell me how 

 you took these trouts ? 



Am. With nothing, upon reputation, but a 

 natural fly, which I suddenly snatch'd from that 

 slender twig. For, if you remember my turn- 

 ing to that bush, I mean that hawthorn that 

 flourishes behind you, there it was I discovered 

 some insects, which, properly to consult, are as 

 truculent as death, more especially in the ides 

 of April and May. It was only with dracks 



