AND ANGLING SONGS. 343 



Many of those who have grown to be fond of it, have plainly, 

 from what I observe, been initiated into its mysteries by the 

 simple, hard-toiling fisherman, and adopted, along with the coarse 

 tackle used by him, his conceits and prejudices. The employ- 

 ment of strong, coarse-looking tackle, on the long line set at 

 night for cod, ling, skate, halibut, and other powerful fish, at a 

 considerable distance from the shore, is rendered necessary, and 

 forms, so far as we can ascertain, no drawback on success. But 

 it is otherwise with the sportive fishes that resort in summer and 

 autumn to our sea-fringes, and by daylight, when the weather is 

 calm, can make use of the faculty of vision, which they possess in 

 high perfection, to discern, as an adjunct to the lure offered them, 

 a thick indigestible-looking piece of cord or plaited hair. I feel 

 quite convinced that by the substitution of salmon-gut, twisted 

 or single, for the clumsy traces usually employed, and by the 

 bringing into play of brass swivels and revolving baits, a step 

 will be taken towards rendering sea-fishing an exciting and 

 delightful amusement. 



THE FAREWELL MEETING. 



WE part not thus, nay, anglers ! nay, 



A farewell to the season ! 

 So fill the bowl and drink away 



Who drinks not harbours treason. 



n. 



Oh ! fill it high ! the joyous draught 



Is native to our heather ; 

 If bravely drain'd and fondly quaffd, 



'Twill bind our hearts together. 



