THE CHARMS OF ANGLING. 145 



Modern improvements in anglers' implements, and recent 

 inventions in lures to captivate by trolling, have rendered 

 the angler of to-day very different from the ancient dreamy 

 fishing philosopher. Especially is the difference from the 

 ancient angler as portrayed by. good Izaak Walton ob- 

 servable in the United States of America, where an angler is 

 expected to scull a boat with alacrity and pull an oar grace- 

 fully, to sail a boat and man a pair of trolling-lines, to brave 

 the ocean's dashing surf and spray, and, clad in sailor's garb 

 of water-proof material, stand on the rocks of the shore and 

 cast menhaden bait for striped bass, and play large fish from 

 a stand where the dashing waves threaten continually to 

 wash him off. 



The art of angling has become so rich in variety of imple- 

 ments, so varied in scenes, so replete with all the elements 

 for exercise as well for the student as for the man of action 

 as to render it a recreation entirely satisfactory to its dis- 

 ciples, who believe that 



"All pleasures but the angler's bring 

 I' th' tail repentance like a sting." 



Men of cultivation and natural gentleness of disposition 

 have frequently been known to indulge in the chase, and fol- 

 low a well-trained dog with pleasure, though they are often 

 known to forego these for angling ; but there was never, a 

 true angler known to exchange his gentle wand, his quiet 

 rambles among the most charming haunts of nature, for any 

 other means of recreation. 



" Bear lightly on their foreheads, Time! 



Strew roses on their way ; 

 The young in heart, however old, 

 That prize the present day. 



" I love to see a man forget 



His blood is growing cold, 

 And leap, or swim, or gather flowers, 



Oblivious of his gold, 

 And mix with children in their sport, 



Nor think that he isold. ' 



K 



