INTJiODUCTION. 



them arriving to a happy patriarchal age, blessed with, 

 mens sana in corpore sano, and all beyond the ordinary 

 boundaries of life, prescribed by divine wisdom. 



The Fishing Company so substantially founded and 

 ably maintained, under their auspices, in their respective 

 successive periods of paternal good government, exists 

 and flourishes in admirable vigor by in the titled territo- 

 ry of the ^^ State in Schnylkill,^^ on the border of our beau- 

 tiful stream, an honored monument of pristine days, and 

 a cherished felicitous association of the present. To 

 the stranger especially, the unusual spectacle of the ani- 

 mated scenic group assembled on a fishing day at the Cas 

 tie, imparts mingled sensations of surprise and pleasure, 

 which can only be estimated or realized by a personal vi- 

 sit. The reality cannot be imagined, or duly appreciated. 



To cynic minds insensible of rational enjoyments, we 

 have no disposition to appeal; and these pages to them we 

 premise, are disrelishing and can neither partially obtain 

 favor, or be productive of a moment's interest. 



Any approbation of its merits, if awarded, must spring 

 from a pure, disinterested, unprejudiced source. 



The liberal minded reader, in a kind spirit of generous 

 indulgence, we trust may at least cheeringly smile, on 

 our humble endeavour to entertain him with unsubstantial 

 Fishing Company Fare, entertaining ourselves, a confi- 

 dent and pleasing assurance that the solid reality at the 

 Castle, could not fail abundantly to gratify every sense. 



