356 Fly-rods and Fly-tackle. 



It is a mistake on their part if they suppose that gen- 

 tlemen think them in the way at such times, always pro- 

 vided they are reasonable. Some there are, as full of 

 whims as an egg is full of meat, whose sole aim and ob- 

 ject seem to be to keep half a dozen men skipping about 

 on frivolous errands. Excluding such from the enumera- 

 tion, men, not of vicious tastes and habits, have, to put 

 it mildly, not the slightest objection to the companion- 

 ship of ladies in any out-of-door amusement in which 

 they are physically qualified to take part ; nor will it be 

 other than a pleasure to any angler to afford them all 

 necessary assistance and instruction. 



I have seen several ladies accompany their husbands 

 to, and take part in fly-fishing. Could they and their 

 lady friends but overhear the terms in which other an- 

 glers then present spoke of them unless I am mistaken 

 in supposing that ladies do not altogether despise the 

 good opinion of men (I speak with diffidence, being a 

 bachelor) and that others should envy their husbands 

 the great good-fortune which has fallen to them in their 

 wives is not displeasing, then the former would become 

 confirmed in, and the latter would at once begin to cul- 

 tivate fly-fishing. 



Men hope for something from women beyond seeing 

 to the boiling of the potatoes and maintaining discipline 

 among children, and that is companionship ; and she who 

 is companionable may feel confident that she has a valid 

 mortgage on the admiration of all decent men, on which 

 not one will make default in the payment of interest. 



The time was, and that at no distant day, when he 

 who for a moment deserted the tread-mill of life for any 

 purpose disconnected with money-getting, braved the 



