NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



In the mean time, here I'm deprived of society, 

 except to fancy fish my solitary companions, the 

 cavities of rocks my sepulchre, and these shady 

 flourishing trees an emblem of death ; for Aquil- 

 la, he is gone, and Arnoldus has left me to la- 

 ment myself, and five hours separation. But 

 why so melancholy among these purling streams, 

 that seemingly interpose betwixt my passion, 

 and their silent murmurings ? ^Do not these re- 

 peated ecchoes (if I hit the key) lively remon- 

 strate the life-touches of solitudes, and the true 

 imitation of sweet contemplation ? Sympathy in 

 affection, I call that amiable ; and the fair and 

 beautiful prospect of the mind, that represents 

 the real signature of friendship. 



But this pace, I perceive, won't carry on my 

 design, nor are complaints proper engines or su- 

 table instruments to surprize fish. How piti- 

 fully it looks for the angler to lie puling, whilst 

 fish, like allegators, are pulling all in pieces, let 

 any man judg that's destinated to be undone. 

 Most unfortunate Theophilus, but now too late 

 to lament thy remissness ; and, rather than un- 

 punished, let thy shameful loss be enough to 

 torment thee. What, at once all vanished, no- 

 thing left but thy self! so that were not I left, 

 there was nothing to laugh at ; and I worthily 

 deserve it, because to lose my reputation. What 

 an opportunity have I lost in losing my rod, and 



