AND ANGLING SONGS. 14! 



chief advantages, however, which would result from this experi- 

 ment a bold one, I allow are the embellishment and purifica- 

 tion of Edinburgh ; the transference of the Firth estuary to the 

 bed of the Water of Leith a result which is equivalent to the 

 establishment of tidal influences as high up probably as Canon- 

 mills ; and, springing from this, the extension of wharfage, the 

 institution of docks, the increased value of landed property in 

 many directions, the giving, in fact, a commercial importance 

 to the Scottish capital which at present does not belong to her. 



THE ANGLER'S INVITATION. 



COME when the leaf comes, angle with me, 

 Come when the bee hums crossing the lea ; 



Come with the wild flowers, 



Come with the mild showers, 

 Come when the singing bird calleth for thee ! 



ii. 



Then to the stream-side gladly we '-11 hie, 

 Where the grey trout glide temptingly by ; 



Or in some still place, 



Over the hill-face, 

 Cast, ever hoping, the magical fly. 



in. 



Then when the dew falls, homeward we '11 speed 

 To our own loved walls down on the mead ; 



There, by the bright hearth, 



Holding our night mirth, 

 We '11 drink to sweet friendship in need and in deed ! 



