Vlll PREFACE. 



it, but by what is written- in it ; and I am not now 

 addressing an angling audience for the first, though it 

 may probably be for the last — time. 



For the rest, no attempt is made in these pages at 

 fine writing. Flowery periods and apposite quotations 

 occupy space ; and, I take it, if any one reads this 

 book it will be with the desire of getting as much in- 

 formation as possible in the plainest and most con- 

 densed form. 



It may be added that the Engravings of fish with 

 which the several chapters are illustrated, have been 

 taken from carefully selected specimens, obtained in 

 every instance from the localities most celebrated for 

 each particular species, and have been executed under 

 my own eye. 



Woodlands, Weybridge, 



Ij/ januatj, 1870. 



