THE RIVER DERIVE NT. 269 



of the water. I saw no fly on the water ; and 

 a solitary swallow that I saw, the first of the 

 season, was flying high. My success has been 

 little better than yours; I have not risen a 

 single trout and have taken only four smelts. 

 What think you of the river ? 



AMICUS. Were there sport, I should approve 

 it, for it is a pleasant and easy river to fish, un- 

 encumbered with wood, wide enough for a good 

 cast ; wading unnecessary ; a fair succession of 

 pools and gentle rapids, admirably adapted, 

 I should think, for the grayling ; moreover, all 

 that meets the eye is of an agreeable and cheer- 

 ful kind, flowery meadows, a wide expanse of 

 sky, and noble hills near and distant. 



PISCATOK. The meadows are indeed now 

 flowery; how abundant the anemone on this 

 side the river and the primrose on the other 

 side ! and here, at least, we have not, as in the 

 instance of the Greta, to make a laborious way, 

 there being both a river foot-path and steps 

 where there are fences. Pray observe the 

 graceful lines of the lower hills, giving a finish 

 as it were to the landscape, owing undoubtedly 

 to a glacier-wearing and polishing action. We 

 have a good part of the afternoon before us, 



