THE ANGLER'S SOUVENIR. 



A] 



other pint, as I knew that you would both shy at 

 it. Good ale is now scarcely to be had, the more 

 is the pity ; for most beneficial in former times 

 were its effects on the genius and morals of the 

 nation, as we learn from the old song : 



" Give a scholar of Oxford a pot of sixteen, 



And put him to prove that an ape has no tail, 

 And sixteen times better his wit will be seen 

 If you fetch him from Botley a pot of good ale. 



Thus it helps speech and wit, and hurts not a whit, 

 But rather doth further the virtues morale ; 



Then think it not much if a little I touch 

 The good moral parts of a pot of good ale. 



To the church and religion it is a good friend, 

 Or else our forefathers in wisdom did fail, 



Who at every mile, next to the church stile, 

 Set a consecrate house to a pot of good ale." 



SIMPSON. Go on. 



FISHER. I cannot. The ale is out, and, as always 

 happens in such a case, my recollection gone. But 

 drink what you please, toddy, brandy and water, 

 or black-strap, I am willing to join you. Any of 

 the usual potations in this part of the country I 

 can bear, except gin. The real cream of the valley, 

 at threepence a quartern, should only be drank in 

 "the valley below." 



Enter waiter, with a couple of decanters of wine. 

 SIMPSON. Now fill, and I will again give you 

 " The Memory of the ' Sage benign.'" 



f'f 



