6 THE PRACTICAL ANGLER 



conglomeration of fertile meadows, crystal brooks, 

 meandering streams, milkmaids'* songs, and moral 

 reflections, which must prove irresistible ; and also, 

 if a man of tender conscience, be able to satisfy 

 himself that angling is not a cruel amusement, 

 though it must be admitted that some of Izaak's 

 injunctions, such as putting a hook " through a frog 

 tenderly, as though you loved him, 11 seeing that 

 the said tenderness is to be evinced, not for the sake 

 of saving the frog's feelings, but of prolonging its 

 wretched life do savour a little of harshness, and 

 seem to j ustify Lord Byron^ lines : 



" The quaint old cruel coxcomb in his gullet 

 Should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it." 



Never having had any scruples of this sort ourselves, 

 we have not studied the subject, and therefore leave 

 the defence of it to Walton and a celebrated Doctor 

 of Divinity who has taken it in hand ; but if any one 

 has any scruples, or thinks angling slow and stupid, 

 or has any other objections, let him keep clear of it, 

 by all means. There are plenty of anglers already, 

 and every year adds to the list a number who are not 

 to be deterred either by the sneers of this world, or 

 by terror of the punishment, which, the poet thinks, 

 should be reserved for the master, and we suppose 

 for all his followers, in the next ; and our purpose is 

 not to make more anglers, but to make successful 

 anglers of those unsuccessful at present. 



Some fish afford more sport in their capture than 

 others ; but for whatever kind necessity may compel 



