6 INTRODUCTORY. 



bad world after all, if they would only keep bleach- 

 fields and blackguards off the rivers' banks. 



With this brief resum.6 of some of the principal 

 attractions of angling we must content ourselves. 

 We have neither space, inclination, nor ability, to 

 do justice to this branch of the subject. Further- 

 more, it is unnecessary, as the ground in this respect 

 is already fully occupied ; and if any one wishes to 

 have all the joys of angling set forth in genuine old 

 English style, let him read Izaak Walton, " being 

 a discourse on fish and fishing not unworthy the 

 perusal of most anglers." Here may be found a 

 conglomeration of fertile meadows, crystal brooks, 

 meandering streams, milk-maids' songs, and moral 

 reflections, which must prove irresistible ; and also, 

 if a man of tender conscience, be able to satisfy him- 

 self that angling is not a cruel amusement, though 

 it must be admitted that some of Izaak's injunctions, 

 such as putting a hook " through a frog tenderly, as 

 though you loved him," seeing that the said tender- 

 ness is to be evinced, not for the sake of saving the 

 frog's feelings, but of prolonging its wretched life 

 do savour a little of harshness, and seem to justify 

 Lord Byron's lines : 



* ' The quaint old cruel coxcomb in his gullet 

 Should have a hook, and a small trout to pull it." 



Never having had any scruples of this sort our- 

 selves, we have not studied the subject, and there- 

 fore leave the defence of it to Walton and a cele- 



