32 VARIED CONDITION OF PEASANTRY. 



duction of your credentials, and inspect them 

 most inquisitorially. As to the labouring men 

 thereabouts, fishing they never think of; 

 they might as well think of doing any other 

 impossible thing. Not only, if detected, would 

 they be subject to fine or imprisonment, but 

 they would be sure to be sent out of the 

 country, being so much at the mercy of the 

 great landlords. Even were an angling rod 

 found in their cottage, they would have to rue 

 the discovery. So lost are they to all interest 

 in the sport, that I never saw a passing labourer 

 stop to watch my doings, or to inquire after my 

 success. 



AMICUS. Such exclusiveness is almost to 

 be regretted. I fear in Derbyshire, at least, 

 the different classes are too wide apart, and 

 that the peasantry have not that kindness 

 shown them, which, as fellow-men, they are 

 entitled to, and the exercise of which would be 

 for the advantage of all concerned. Such a 

 state approaches too nearly that of serfage, as 

 serfage does too nearly that of slavery. I, for 

 my part, would rather live amongst your freer 

 peasantry with very indifferent angling, than in 

 those princely territories under such absolute 



