APOLOGY FOR ANGLERS. xm 



apostle St. Peter: " Go thou to the sea, and cast 

 an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh." 

 St. Matthew, chap. xvii. 



In respect to the cruelty of Angling, it is more 

 ideal than real, especially if we contrast it with 

 the unceasing persecution with which the finny 

 tribe pursue each other. Every species of fish, 

 either in the ocean or in the rivers, are at con- 

 stant war, the larger chasing, wounding and de- 



^t^ 

 stroying the smaller; from the mighty Whale, and ^ 



the voracious Shark, to the insignificant Muscle, 

 all, by stratagem or open violence, prey upon each 

 other in some instances, even feeding on those 

 to whom they had but recently given life. 



The fact is well known that the Cod-fish taken 

 on our coasts, are principally attracted by the 

 Whiting, which is their most favourite food; 

 Soles, and several other flat fish, live chiefly on 



