THE TROUT. 27 



to the interest I take in fishing on a fine summer's 

 evening. Let me here give two stanzas of an old 

 song for the benefit of my associates of the Walton 

 and Cotton Fishing Club. 



Come, lay by all cares, and hang up all sorrow, 

 Let's angle to day, and ne'er think of to-morrow ; 

 And by the brook-side as we angle along, 

 We'll cheer up ourselves with our sport and a song, 



There, void of all care, we're more happy than they 

 That sit upon thrones, and kingdoms do sway ; 

 For sceptres and crowns disquiet still bring ; 

 But the man that's content is more blest than a king. 



I cannot mention the Walton and Cotton Club, 

 without referring to the agreeable, rational, and 

 convivial dinners I have enjoyed in the society of 

 its members. Here some gentlemen who, like 

 myself, are fond of angling, and the quiet enjoy- 

 ment it brings with it, meet to talk over, and com- 

 municate to each other, their pleasant observations 

 on the piscatory art; and I never quit the club 

 without regretting that our old father Izaac Walton 

 is not there to witness the enthusiasm with which 

 his name is always mentioned by his 4 honest 

 scholars." If those who sneer at anglers could 

 witness the good-humour and kindness of heart 

 which characterise the members of the Walton and 

 Cotton Club, and see the good fellowship which 

 subsists amongst them, they would probably desire 

 to belong to so agreeable a society. One of the 



