164 FLY-FISHING. 



a real fondness for the amusement, that he can 

 arrive at perfection. Above all, he should delight 

 in the charms of nature, and contemplate her works 

 as he wanders with his rod by the side of some 

 clear and tranquil stream, or traverses the shore of 

 a turbulent and eddying pool. The beauteous 

 scenery also, which is generally to be found on the 

 banks of our pretty trout rivers, their graceful and 

 fanciful windings, and the sweet and gay flowers 

 which ornament their sides, should all add to the 

 } >U azures of the angler. Far removed from the 

 haunts of the idle and the profligate, he may see in 

 every thing around him proofs of the care and 

 bounty of a beneficent Creator. His mind will be 

 impressed with pure and holy thoughts of the Great 

 Author of the Universe, he will possess that best 

 and most valuable of blessings, a cheerful and con- 

 tented disposition, while the exercise he takes in the 

 pursuit of his favourite amusement, will render his 

 body active and healthy, and like our excellent father, 

 Izaac Walton, he will experience that happy tran- 

 quillity which is alone to be derived from religion, 

 virtue and temperance. 



How rich in humble poverty is he 

 Who leads a quiet country life, 

 Discharged of bus'ness, void of strife 



Sometimes beneath an ancient oak, 

 Or on the matted grass he lies, 



No God of sleep he need invoke ; 

 The stream that o'er the pebbles flies, 

 With gentle slumber crowns his eyes. 



