98 THE PIKE 



and directions how to use them,' published in 1682. 

 The dedication to him by ' G. D., of Trinity College,' 

 and the author's lines on the antiquity and invention 

 of fishing, bespeak cultured men who were on familiar 

 terms with their Bible. 



The natural history of the book must not be 

 taken at all as gospel, but the practical matters as to 

 the haunts and habits of the fish from the angler's 

 point of view are unquestionable. The ' snap ' as a 

 tackle was not unknown to Nobbs (or Nobbes), and 

 he tells us it was an affair with springs. The theory 

 of seasons was probably elastic for all kinds of 

 fishing, for after describing the sport to be enjoyed 

 in the depth of winter, and continuing his advice 

 during March as a month very seasonable to the 

 troller, excepting the time of spawning, he adds 

 that April will make amends for former sufferings 

 and is a month inviting to sport that is both pleasant 

 and profitable. Nobbs goes into raptures about this 

 month, glorifying the chirping birds which then begin 

 to seek their mates, the long silent cuckoo that forsook 

 her cold climate again saluting the sprouting branches 

 telling us the news of approaching summer, and 

 the tender swallow which, joyful at her first flight, 

 when she seems to make obeisance at your bait, 

 displays her wings upon the surface of the waters. 



