-ii> INCIDENT, 



LETTER XLIX. 



Western Region^ September^ 1820. 



My Dear Sir, 



In one of my solitary walks with my gun on 



my shoulder, and my dog by my side, I strayed 



eight or ten miles from my lodgings ; and as I 



> — 

 was musing on the beauties of the country, and 



meditating on the various and picturesque scenes 

 which were constantly unfolding, I was roused 

 from my reverie by voices which proceeded from 

 persons at a short distance. In casting my eyes 

 in that direction, I saw two venerable men with 

 lishing rods in their hands angling for trout, in a 

 copious and pellucid stream which rolled at their 

 feet. I was hailed by them, and requested to ap- 

 proach, which I immediately did, and in ex- 

 changing salutations, I found that they were men 

 of the world, perfectly acquainted with the courte- 

 sies of life. One of them held up a string of fine 

 trout, and asked me in the most ob-iging manner 

 to go home with them and partake of the fruits of 

 their amusement. Struck with the appearance of 

 the stra!igers, and anxious to avail myself of the 

 pleasure of their compan}^, I did not hesitate to 

 accept of this hospitable oiler, on condition tiiat 

 they would permit me to add the woodcock, snipe^ 



