202 SALMONIA. [EIGHTH DAY. 



the warmth of the sun ; and, as lovers of the angle, 

 we ought to prefer his warmth to his light. 



HAL. I do not think, as the day advances, there 

 will be any deficiency of light ; and I shall not be 

 sorry for this, as it will enable you to see the grounds 

 of Downton, and the distances in the landscape, to 

 more advantage : nor will light interfere much with 

 our sport in this valley, where, as you see, there is no 

 want of shade. 



POIET. This spot is really very fine. The fall 

 of water, the picturesque mill, the abrupt cliff, and 

 the bank, covered with noble oaks, above the river, 

 compose a scene such as I have rarely beheld in this 

 island. 



HAL. We will wander a little longer through the 

 walks. There you will enter a subterraneous passage 

 in the rock beyond the mossy grotto. Behold, 

 the castle, or mansion-house, clothed in beautiful 

 vegetables, of which the red creeper is most distinct, 

 rises above on the hill ! After we have finished our 

 walk and our fishing, I will, if you please, take you 

 to the house, and introduce you to its worthy master, 

 whom to know is to love, to whom all good anglers 

 should be grateful, and who has a strong claim to a 

 more extensive gratitude that of his country and of 

 society by his scientific researches on vegetable 

 nature, which are not merely curious, but useful, and 



