AUGUST. 103 



employed at school, or in a thousand different 

 ways, but indeed you are mistaken ; and were 

 you as well skilled as myself, it might even add 

 to your relish of the art." " Nay," I replied, 

 " pray inform me where I lack, or in what points 

 you so far exceed my learning." " Ah !" said 

 he, "I cannot say that; but, judging from the 

 way in which you have now two good hours 

 traversed this stream, (for I have watched 

 you closely,) I do venture you have much to 

 learn." " I pray you, then, inform me." " I 

 will," said he " First, then, you must know, 

 my father is a great scholar, and well versed 

 in all the finer arts and sciences ; indeed, in 

 every thing that should constitute the charac- 

 ter of a gentleman. Well, Sir, when I re- 

 turn home from my morning's sport, I produce 

 my fish, and he questions me thus : ' With 

 what fly or flies did you take them ? what 

 quarter was the wind in ? was it dull, or did the 

 sun shine ? what was the soil, and was it dry or 

 damp ? on what plant or tree did you first 



