PREFACE. 



So MANY publications on the art of fishing have 

 issued from the press, that it might appear at 

 first sight superfluous to say anything further 

 on the subject. The art, it is true, has been 

 largely developed, still it appears to one accus- 

 tomed to this fascinating amusement for more 

 than sixty years, that some few fresh hints might 

 be given to render it more complete. This, how- 

 ever, is not the principal object of this work, 

 written, according to its title, to reduce the prac- 

 tice to the principle of mercy. We speak here 

 as regards comparative mercy ; since field and 

 river sports cannot in themselves be devoid 

 altogether of pain and suffering to those animals 

 or fish we endeavour to capture. I would here, 

 by the way, remark that the river sport is far 

 less cruel than the field sports. This will be 



