380 ifctngs of tbe IRofc, IRffle, anfc 6un 



trouting for which St. Boswell's lay so convenient on 

 the grand river, and I felt that whatever my necessity 

 for constant work might continue to be, there still might 

 be some favourable leisure hours out of the many twenty- 

 fours of the long twelve months which might be spared 

 for such congenial amusement as angling, which I found 

 I could improve to purpose ; and besides I was still 

 followed out from the river sides to Bowden for fly- 

 dressing by all my fishing acquaintances, so that in a 

 short time I found I would be obliged to do a great deal 

 in the line gratis, unless I should make it a proper 

 stated branch of my business for daily bread through 

 life, as it eventually has been down to the present hour." 



John Younger's fishing-boots were almost as famous 

 as his flies. He charged five guineas a pair for them, 

 and would never abate the price, for he said the honest 

 work put into the making of them was well worth the 

 money to those who could afford to pay for such 

 luxuries. 



Fortune had none of her lucky tickets in life's lottery 

 for John Younger, but he was not discontented with his 

 lot. Here is a specimen of the philosophic view he took 

 of his surroundings as he descended the hill : 



" Well, here stood, or rather sat, I, in this St. Boswell's, 

 at that time, and long since, in the extended and 

 elevated position of son, brother, husband, father, uncle, 

 debtor, creditor, sutor, cobbler, and fish fly-dresser, to 

 which I added fishing bootmaker to whomsoever would 

 employ me a most responsible situation truly. Not- 

 withstanding all this, I could not yet fully master former 

 desires for out-airings, in the shape of a casual early 



