132 Natural- Fly Fishing 



verdure clad," the rippling streams replete with 

 life, the vale bespangled with the pastoral cow- 

 slips and " daisy stars whose firmament is green." 

 O'er him steals the gentle zephyr, laden with the 

 sweets of hawthorn and of brier-rose, and on his 

 ear there falls 



" The raining music from a morning cloud, 

 When vanished larks are carolling above. " 



And if he be an enthusiastic disciple of the rod 

 to boot, happy is he in his hope. Possessed of 

 even a modicum of skill, and blessed with the 

 generally favourable weather of May, he will not 

 return with empty creel. Of the "taking" char- 

 acter of the flies then on the wing there is no need 

 to speak, and no cause to doubt : the May -fly as a 

 lure has no compeer. Moreover, the trout capti- 

 vated and captured by it are the biggest and best in 

 the river. Then in the full tide of life and in the 

 the joy of its fulness, they will not tamely yield 

 up their liberty on demand, but will make a brave 

 show, and fight a gallant fight, calling forth the 

 skill and energies of the angler, and affording him 

 the most genuine and exhilarating sport. At no 

 other season do circumstances so combine to favour 

 the gentle art, and crown its pursuit with such 

 assured success. But, alas! 



"The hand of joy is ever at his lips 

 Bidding adieu. " 



