112 COUPULENT GENTLEMAN. 



tinuc to enjoy the water, if it so pleases you. If you 

 go in far enough to throw over the cast, that is suffi- 

 cient ; for, remember, it is not good to have a very long 

 line when a short one will answer your purpose. You 

 will not strike your fish so soon, and a sudden run of 

 his might place you in an awkward predicament when 

 your progress is impeded by wading. 



It is really refreshing, and does one's heart good, to 

 see how some that are green in the sport will, in the 

 language of stag hunting, " take to soil." I heard of a 

 very fat man from the precincts of Cheapside, who was 

 encountered in the river Shiel, in Inverness-shire, by two 

 gentlemen, — merrier ones than whom " I never passed 

 an hour's talk withal." The corpulent man looked at the 

 water for some time like a child that is going into a cold 

 bath, and does not half like it ; he then broke forth in 

 the following guise : — 



" I am convinced, gentlemen, that your waders catch 

 most fish. I say, gentlemen, that those who wade are the 

 most successful." His opinion being greatly encouraged, 

 he put forth one foot in the pool ; and not finding the 

 sensation very alarming, for the weather was warm, he 

 walked soberly forward, saying at every step, " Ay, ay, 

 — your Avaders catch the most fish." Now the rock 

 shelving down near the bank, in progressing he was 

 soon up to the hips — 



" Tendebatque raanus ripaj ulterioris amore ; " 



but he could not reach the desired spot even then. 

 In this dilemma he looked wistfully at the shore for 

 advice. " How deep should I go ? " said the enter- 

 prising man. One said to the fifth button of your waist- 



