RIVERS. 323 



water fell was perfectly thronged with char (Salmo 

 fontinalis). As the neighbourhood was suitable we 

 determined to come to a halt for the night. 



After lifting our canoe ashore I left my comrade 

 busily arranging camp, to try if the denizens of 

 this Naiad-like retreat were gifted with that sub- 

 lunary ailment appetite. Soon I discovered that 

 they were suffering from the vulgar adjunct, a craving 

 stomach. This misfortune was the cause of a dozen 

 or more being ruthlessly dragged from home, and 

 kith, and kin. 



It is my opinion that nothing presents greater 

 attractions to the lover of nature than a river. In 

 childhood we regard it with awe, for we know not 

 from whence it comes and whither it goes ; in more 

 mature years, when the mind is better developed, it 

 is looked at with astonishment for its erratic course, 

 and reckless career, while the space which it traverses 

 attracts our admiration; in age it softens to the 

 vision the landscape, speaks of peace and plenty, 

 of utility to man, and luxury and abundance to the 

 animal life that dwells upon its margin. 



The schoolboy in his half-holiday directs his 

 steps to the nearest river, with deadly intent in his 

 mind against the lovely children of its liquid haunts, 

 or to bathe, splash, or with abandon enjoy himself 

 in its gurgling eddies or silent pools ; the old man to 

 listen to its voice, and, charmed with the sweet lullaby 

 it sings over its pebbly pavement, unconsciously to 

 glide into dreamland, there for the time forgetting 





