94 FISHING GOSSIP. 



sorely tempted to doubt, indeed, whether the author 

 himself had any ideas to convey ; the few vague 

 generalities, such as that it is his aim to " render the 

 fisherman all the assistance in his power " that his 

 writings were " eagerly sought for and favourably 

 noticed " and that he has acted upon the advice and 

 suggestions of those " several literary and other 

 friends " (save us from our friends !), who always 

 come in so opportunely on these occasions, indicating 

 rather the consciousness of mental haziness than 

 lucidity on the point. But stay ; we have an idea 

 (envy us, Mr. Bagnall !) a happy thought strikes us 

 the " title ? " The title of the book will surely give 

 us some clue to the special want or desideratum in our 

 bibliotheca piscatoria which it is its writer's intention 

 to supply. Alas, no ! " Piscatorial Eambles" can only 

 mean the rambles of a piscator ; and is not this field 

 already doubly occupied ? vide Mr. Jesse's Anglers 

 Eambles, Rambles of a Fly-Fisher, etc. 



Evidently, therefore, " to dilate upon the nature 

 of the work " would, as Mr. Bagnall says, " be super- 

 fluous." It has no visible raison d'etre ; and is con- 

 sequently obnoxious to the gravest charge which can 

 be urged against any book. The one solitary ray 

 which its author does vouchsafe to guide us in our 

 chimerian search after first principles, is that it has 

 been his aim to " say nothing which may not, 

 directly or indirectly, be of practical utility ; " and 



