56 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



ViAT. None fitter then, Sir, for the time and place, than those 

 instructions you promised. 



Pisc. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, whether 

 I am able to instruct you or no ; though, if you are really a 

 stranger to our clear northern rivers, I still think I can ; and, 

 therefore, since it is yet too early in the morning at this time of 

 the vear, to-day being but the seventh of March, to cast a fly 

 upon the water, if you will direct me what kind of fishing for a 

 trout I shall read you a lecture on, I am willing and ready to 

 obey you. 



ViAT. Why, Sir, if you will so far oblige me, and that it may 

 not be too troublesome to you, I would entreat you would run 

 through the whole body of it ; and I will not conceal from you, 

 that I am so far in love with you, your courtesy, and pretty 

 Moreland seat, as to resolve to stay with you long enough by 

 intervals, for I will not oppress you, to hear all you can say upon 

 that subject. 



Pisc. You cannot oblige me more than by such a promise ; 

 and therefore, without more ceremony, I will begin to tell you, 

 that my father Walton having read to you before, it would look 

 like a presumption in me, and peradventure would do so in any 

 other man, to pretend to give lessons for angiing after him, who, 

 I do really believe, understands as much of it, at least, as any 

 man in England ; did I not pre-acquaint you, that I am not 

 tempted to it by any vain opinion of myself, that I am able to 

 give you better directions ; but having from my childhood pur- 

 sued the recreation of angling in very clear rivers, truly I think 

 by much, some of them at least, the clearest in this kingdom, and 



•' So, when our Druids inspiration sought, 



They burned the mistletoe to fume around, 

 Th' inspiring vapors gave a strength to thought, 

 And yield a lore impression and profound. 



"Methinks I see them with the mental eye, 

 I hear their lessons with attentive ear. 

 Of early fishing with tlie summer fly, 



And many a pleasing tale to anglers dear." 



Am. Ed. 



