120 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



exercise, and the pleasure of solitudes to the con* 

 templative angler. By this you may perceive, 

 it's necessarily requisite at all times, especially 

 upon emergencies, to hearken to counsel ; for 

 indisputably had I pursued irregular measures, 

 and slighted Arnoldus his solid instructions, so 

 followed the dictates of my former resolution of 

 making fish fly, all had flown in pieces : And 

 how fondly then had I betrayed my own folly, 

 by exposing myself and my reputation to a loss ? 

 On the contrary, I can triumph, and say all is 

 well ; and tell what execution my minews have 

 done, that my rod and line and swivel's secure. 

 Where note, I think now to pack up my impli- 

 ments, and hasten to the place we formerly 

 agreed upon ; approving it necessary in all socie- 

 ties to observe the punctilios of promise among 

 friends. Another thing secretly affects me ; and 

 that is, to think what an artist Arnoldus will 

 extol me. 



AquiL This is the place, and the prefix'd 

 time of agreement is at hand ; yet on these glit- 

 tering sands there's no tract to trace the impress 

 of the feet of Arnoldus or Theophilus. Surely 

 angling's all charms, to break the links of the 

 golden chain of promise. But whither will these 

 rash presumptions hurry me ? what, to suspect 

 friendship, the diadem and darling of human so- 

 ciety ? Yonder he advances, to the place ap- 



