272 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



A similarity in tastes and pursuits be- 

 gets a ready interchange of ideas, and an 

 hour's conversation will often lay the 

 foundation of a lasting intimacy, when 

 kindred spirits are thrown together. Such 

 was the case in this instance, and I look 

 back with proud satisfaction to the day 

 when I was so fortunate as to attract the 

 notice and distinction of my talented 

 patron. 



I was invited to breakfast with the 

 Major two or three days after my arrival, 

 and, as a mark of especial favour, was 

 permitted to examine his treasures. A 

 finer collection of flies and tackle of every 

 description never greeted the eager gaze 

 of the lover of angling; and as for the 

 rods which decorated his sanctum sanc- 

 torum, they were beyond all price. 



The Major entertained a thorough con- 

 tempt for all rods, lines, foot-lengths, and 

 flies, purchased at any fishing-tackle w^are- 

 house, observing, that, although very 



