9 

 THE SAVING GRACE OF. FISHING 



THE writer, as a loyal apprentice of " Bob," cannot 

 help but think of boys. He has boys of his own. 

 The hobby of fishing provides against loafing 

 against what is known at certain times as being at a 

 dangerous " loose end." It is healthy it creates 

 a motive for thought. ;< Mens sana in corpore 

 sano," can with confidence be emblazoned on its 

 shield. 



The idea that it is worth while to nurse the young 

 sportsman has something to do, in this book, with 

 the extolling of a particular type of fishing father. 

 The different local " Bob's " that are by nature cut 

 out to inspire boys are men of broad sympathy. 

 They are permeated with wise tradition, full of 

 knowledge, shy of mere precept, teachers by 

 example, never in a hurry with spontaneous youth. 

 A great churchman, who knew boys, once addressed 

 some words to Father Time, beseeching him not to 



hurry with the boys. 



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