194 Ikfnss of tbe 1Rob t IRffle, ant) (Bun 



bright-bounding, and silver-shining scaly life, most 

 beauteous to behold, at every soft alighting of the 

 deceptive line, captivating and irresistible even among 

 a shower of natural leaf-born flies, a swarm in the air 

 from the mountain woods.' 



A picture of the past visiting the present, as time 

 glides on, making more perceptible the cruel changes 

 which come to mortal strength. How now do his feet 

 touch the heather? Not as of old, with a bound, but 

 with slow and unsteady step, supported on the one 

 hand by his stick, while the other carries his rod. The 

 breeze gently moves his locks, no longer glittering with 

 the light of life, but dimmed by its decay. Yet are his 

 shoulders broad and unbent. The lion-like presence is 

 somewhat softened down, but not gone. He surely will 

 not venture into the deeps of the water, for only one 

 hand is free for 'a cast,' and those large stones, now 

 slippery with moss, are dangerous stumbling blocks 

 in the way. Besides, he promised his daughters he 

 would not wade, but on the contrary, walk quietly 

 with them by the river's edge, there gliding ' at its 

 own sweet will.' Silvery bands of pebbled shore, 

 leading to loamy-coloured pools, dark as the glow of 

 a southern eye, how could he resist the temptation of 

 near approach ? In he goes, up to the ankles, then to 

 the knees, tottering every other step, but never falling. 

 Trout after trout he catches, small ones certainly, but 

 plenty of them. Into his pocket with them, all this 

 time manoeuvring in the most skilful manner both stick 

 and rod ; until weary, he is obliged to rest on the bank, 

 sitting with his feet in the water, laughing at his 



