XIV PREFACE. 



things that belong to our very nature as human 

 and erring creatures. 



The world, now-a-days, seems all alive and full 

 of bustle; and we have long foreseen that vast 

 numbers of people, will, in future years, flock 

 over from England to France and Belgium, and 

 other not very distant countries. This view of 

 things has been to us a strong motive for print- 

 ing our book; because we wished to furnish our 

 fishing friends with such a guide as would 

 render their visits to these countries pleasant 

 and full of sport. On those parts of France and 

 Belgium, which lie along the coast nearest to 

 England, or are close to it, we have been more 

 minute in what we have said, than on those 

 places which are more distant and remote from 

 the shores of Britain ; because the latter are not 

 so often seen by the angler who rambles but for 

 a short time in these foreign lands. But, we 

 trust, that on whatever side he may enter into 

 France or Belgium, he will find the rivers near 

 the spot sketched out and treated of, with such 

 care and pains, as will make his progress along 

 the smaller streams he may visit at once easy 



