Introduction 



who merely angles for the sake of what he can catch is not so 

 much an angler as a fishmonger. The truer angler is more often 

 like Scott and Mr. Lang, " no fisher, but a well-wisher to the 

 game," such a one as Mr. Bridges describes in one of his prettiest 

 verses : 



Sometimes an angler comes, and drops his hook 



Within its hidden depths, and ''gainst a tree 

 Leaning his rod, reads in some pleasant book, 

 Forgetting soon his pride of fishery ; 

 And dreams, or falls asleep, 

 While curious fishes peep 

 About his nibbled bait, or scornfully 

 Dart off and rise and leap. 

 Ixvi 



