A Plea for the Sport. 219 



take counsel of the night for its illegal exercise. 

 Besides, an enactment against night-fishing, based 

 on such a plea, would be as futile in restraining 

 the poacher as it would be unjust to the legitimate 

 angler ; for to those bent on evil courses 



" How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds 

 Makes ill deeds done ! " 



While I 'am inclined to believe that pollution of 

 rivers in the light has killed more fish than 

 poaching in them in the dark, it is not in the 

 spirit of the creed which says 



" Who dares not stir by day must walk by night, 

 And have is have, however men do catch," 



that I plead for a few hours' fishing under the 

 silent gaze of stars, but solely out of enthusiastic 

 devotion to a legitimate sport, most loved when 

 most legitimately followed. 



Not that my zeal for " the gentle art " would lead 

 me in all circumstances to echo the transport of the 

 poet, and exclaim 



"Most glorious night ! 

 Thou wert not sent for slumber ! " 



but in fitting season I am not loath occasionally 

 to forego my enchanting night-visions of big fish 

 and glorious runs in a laudable endeavour to realise 

 them. And when the feverish heat of the summer 

 day is o'er, and a delicious coolness fills the air ; 



