246 DELIGHTS OF THE DUDDON. 



PISCATOK. And in confirmation I may remark, 

 that in the West India Islands and tropical 

 America, where palms have no such natural 

 enemies, they grow wild and abound, constitut- 

 ing a chief charm of the woodlands, and a 

 marked peculiarity in their favour comparing 

 them with those of India *, where the wild 

 elephant is found. But what of your sport, 

 and why have you loitered so long ? 



AMICUS. Wandering by the pleasant Duddon 

 how could I but remember your carpe diem, and 

 addfestina lente ; and the day I have enjoyed, 

 and that leisurely, sometimes fishing, where 

 the water was most inviting, and sometimes 

 resting, where the banks were most flowery and 

 tempting, where sweet sounds were mixed 

 with vernal odours, the music of the stream 

 and the song of birds. As to my angling suc- 

 cess, see my pannier. There are a good many 

 smolts in it and a few trout, the largest not 



* I had written, " and of Africa ; " but I have learnt 

 from a missionary, well acquainted with the western 

 coast and its interior, that there elephants and palms 

 both abound, probably owing to the soil and climate 

 specially favouring the growth of palms, and in situa- 

 tions not easy of access. 



