PLEASURES OF A SUMMER EVENING. 73 



not been great, having killed only two morts, 

 the largest not exceeding three pounds, one 

 " spod " of about ten ounces, and a few small 

 river trout. 



AMICTJS. My success has been less ; one large 

 fish, of the kind you call a "mort" I infer (would 

 that it were mori) I hooked and lost from its 

 getting entangled in weeds ; and the trouts I 

 have taken, about a dozen, were hardly worth 

 taking, they were so small. Notwithstanding, 

 I have had no small enjoyment in my ramble 

 by the river-side this fine evening after the 

 heat of the day. At this time, by such a 

 stream and amidst such scenery, angling is 

 indeed "the contemplative man's recreation," 

 and something more ; may we not say, that the 

 river-side is the contemplative man's study. 

 How glorious were the mountain peaks rising 

 above the dark wood, reflecting the lingering 

 light of day ! How pleasant, almost musical 

 in the silence of the late evening, the sound 

 of the falling water and of the rippling stream ! 

 How refreshing the cool air ! I felt grateful 

 for so much enjoyment. My thoughts at times, 

 heightening perhaps the enjoyment, reverted 

 to other scenes, in other countries less favoured 



