SAGACIOUS ANGLE E. 149 



menfc of success. Whilst in this tranquil mood, a man 

 suddenly vaulted over the wall of the Shiel bridge ; 



" And when he had not the least suspicion, 

 Was with him like an apparition." 



This man he described to me as fresh in his attire. 

 Thin and new were his shoes, — new also was his jacket, 

 new his waistcoat, and novel his pantaloons ; but 

 newest of all was his top- varnished salmon rod, turned 

 out by Eaton ; but he was shabbily thatched, his hat 

 being worse than common. His flies, to all appearance, 

 were made by the Turks, — men forbidden by their 

 religion to imitate any of the works of the Creation. 

 As for the man himself, no one could look at him 

 without being put in mind of Mantellini. 



" Demnition fine pool, sir." 



" Very fine indeed, sir ; but you will never catch a 

 fish where you are casting at present, because fish do 

 not lie in that bare water." 



Upon this our man faced round, put his fore finger 

 to his nose, and, with an expression of sagacity and 

 wisdom that I should in vain attempt to describe, said, 



" Do you see any thing green in my eyes, sir ? " 



It was evident such a person was not born to be 

 instructed, but simply to be admired. My friend, 

 therefore, left his rod upon the bank, and walked after 

 him, cigar in mouth, to get some insight into his tactics. 

 Arrived at a better part of the pool, he hooked a fish ; 

 and here it was curious to see the difference of opinion 

 between a Cockney and one who had been bred to the 

 sport. The Cockney was of a yielding disposition, and 

 judged it advisable to let the fish have his own way; 

 10 



