4 SUPERIORITY OF FLY-FISHING. 



curer of contentedness ; and that it begat habits 

 of peace and patience in all who professed and 

 practised it." 



It is universally admitted, that of the different 

 branches of angling the most scientific and in- 

 teresting is that on which this unaspiring treatise 

 is written. In preference to any special enume- 

 ration of its claims to that distinction, we shall 

 endeavour to convey an idea of their nature, and 

 at the same time of the attractions of this delight- 

 ful art, in an off* hand sketch of a day's fly-fishing 

 on one of the most celebrated streams of "the 

 west countrie;" and this perhaps will prove a 

 not unfitting introduction to our more dry, but 

 we hope not useless, chapters. 



Down far, far into one of the most picturesque 

 parts of the country away from the bustle and 

 gaiety of city life is nestled a quiet and secluded 

 valley, through which a clear and dancing stream 

 pursues its devious way, and on every side dif- 

 fuses health and freshness. This valley is enclosed 

 and sheltered by ranges of high hills which the 

 hand of Cultivation (the arch-enemy of landscape 

 beauty) has not yet quite denuded of their wood, 

 although its approach is everywhere manifest. 

 Among them, branching away in different direc- 

 tions, are snug little combs into which the eye 



