PREFACE 



IT would indeed be a graceless sin of 

 omission did I not record with gratitude 

 the thanks which are due to the friends 

 who have (in one way or another) 

 earned them so well, by their kind help, 

 advice, and sympathy during the writing 

 and publication of this book. 



As I must begin with some one, permit 

 me to commence by saying with what 

 sincerity I record my obligation to my 

 friend, Dr. Spence, of Edinburgh, for the 

 advantages I have had from the use of 

 his extensive library of angling works. 



I should have liked to have said much 

 more, but my hand was held. I will, 

 therefore, merely content myself by adding 



