494 AMERICAN FISHES. 



me, induce me to endeavor to make young anglers "aufait," to every 

 article they are likely to require. 



It may be urged against me, and probably will be, that I have sacri- 

 ficed the bait-fisher to the fly-man. I honestly confess my sin, and 

 have only to urge in extenuation, that I hate the former and adore 

 the latter ; but still, I have, I trust, not altogether forgotten the bait- 

 man. 



I regret to say that I have had far more experience in America with 

 all kinds of bait than with flies ; such, however, is my misfortune, but 

 yet I would rather fish for shiners than not fish at all. I own a very 

 strong predilection for the art, and I humbly lay this my tribute at the 

 feet of my brother anglers, hoping for their praise, yet fearing much 

 their censure. 



If I have been the means of conveying any information or instruc- 

 tion on any of the practical operations of the art, I have done all I 

 hoped to do. And, from the bottom of my heart, my beloved broth- 

 ers of the angle, I trust you may each and all catch the biggest fish in 

 your respective waters; that you may enjoy much happiness the com- 

 ing and for many seasons ; that you may live at peace with all the 

 world, but more especially with your obedient, humble servant, 



THE AUTHOR. 



