PERCH FISHING CLUB. 



' Ye happy fields, unknown to noise and strife, 



' The kind rewarders of my youthful life ; 



' Ye shady woods, where once 1 used to rove, 



' Alike indulgent to the muse and love ; 



' Ye murm'ring streams that in meanders roll, 



' The sweet composers of the pensive soul ; 



' Farewell ! the city calls me from your bow'rs ; 



' Farewell, amusing thoughts, and peaceful hours.' 



GAY. 



EVERY one perhaps looks back with a certain 

 degree of pleasure and satisfaction to some period 

 of his youth, when he enjoyed the passing hour 

 with peculiar gratification. How well do I feel 

 this to be the case with myself. However much of 

 wholesome afflictions may since have fallen to my 

 lot, joined to innumerable blessings, I often think 

 with peculiar complacency on certain passages of 

 my younger days. How well do I call to mind 

 the time when in high health, good spirits, and 

 well mounted, I followed the hounds in my native 

 county, surrounded by the friends of my youth. 

 The rivalship of being forward in the chase, the 

 goodness of my old horse Active, the beauty of the 

 morning in a fine open country, and the exhilira- 



