162 THE SPORTING WORLD. 



something to contend with, something in itself 

 worth the time and trouble of trying for. No 

 doubt much dexterity is required in the capture of 

 a salmon of twenty pounds weight, but where this 

 is not brought forth, succeed or not, there is 

 a kind of " pull devil pull baker " trial between 

 fisher and fish that produces at least fun ; it 

 is a fair trial of strength on the one part, and 

 strength combined with dexterity on the other. 



I am not in this volume giving any descrip- 

 tion of Field Sports, but a description of the 

 usual characteristics of Sportsmen ; if in my 

 mentioning the Angler my notice of his amuse- 

 ment is neither seductive or correct, I hope he 

 will pardon my little knowledge of the craft, 

 in consideration of my full appreciation of the 

 general character and demeanour of the man. 



Some of the best educated and best conducted 

 men I have had the pleasure of knowing have 

 been anglers, and I have sometimes roused 

 their good natured ire, (if I may make use of 



