THE ANGLER'S COMPANION. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE FRESH- WATER TROUT. 



WHAT is a river, a Scottish river, without its trout ? 

 What is the ocean without its navies ? What are the 

 heavens without their stars ? There is scarcely a scene 

 or landscape, in Highlands or Lowlands, with which 

 this fish is not in some measure associated. Climb 

 yonder hill, and gaze around and before you. See 

 there an earl's proud mansion, his parks and pleasure- 

 grounds. See there trees of twice a century's growth, 



"Whose very shadows 

 Are histories on which to legislate ; 

 The veteran boughs are hung with oracles 

 And legendary song." 



But mark ! seemingly at your feet, the life-blood of 

 the picture, a broad, shining, rejoicing river ! Gaze in 

 turn up along the valley; yonder, as if from a huge 

 cavern in the distance, you behold it issuing; you 

 catch with your eye the gleam of its progress ; now, at 



B 



