198 LOUGH DERG. 



were put into requisition, for the sake of 

 greater speed as well as greater comfort ; it 

 having been previously ascertained that the 

 Squire intended to study the philosophy of 

 fishing among the home throws, and to keep 

 the Scholar with him. 



The Captain, who evinced a strong desire 

 to be in two places at once, had been down 

 to the river, casting a wistful look at the 

 water ; but as it was still hopelessly stained, 

 and had run off much less than had been 

 expected, he came back with an air of 

 content and decision, as if he had succeeded 

 in satisfying himself that in travelling abroad 

 in search of untried pleasures, he had not 

 inadvertently been leaving the real blessings 

 behind him. 



The sky was in far better fishing order 

 than the water. It was evident that the 

 fine weather had now regularly set in. 

 There were clouds, certainly, but not more 

 than a fisherman would desire — high, light, 

 and fleecy. There was a soft breath of air, 

 just enough to ripple the lake ; and there 

 was that fine wild freshness of early morning 

 that speaks of hope and promise. Whether 

 in the pleasant business of fishing or in the 



