VI INTRODUCTION. 



the " gentle art," written one of the most en- 

 joyable books in the English language? and 

 yet how ardent, and yet how contemplative an 

 angler was he! Fishing is by some people 

 regarded as a slow sport Franklin mentions 

 as having seen a Waltonian at early dawn, 

 stationed, in eager expectation, at the river 

 side. Some hours after a friend passed by, 

 and made the usual inquiry in such cases 

 " Have you caught any fish ?" " Not exactly," 

 was the answer; "but I've had a, splendid bite." 

 Well, to those who regard fishing as un- 

 profitable or unattractive, our advice is let it 

 alone. When you want fish, go to market and 

 buy them. If you have no love for the angle, 

 you will never succeed in it, but be like the 

 man who sings 



" I cannot tell the reason it is really very odd 

 My tackle is first-rate, and I've a most expensive rod, 

 Bought at the ' Silver Truck,' the shop that's always 



selling off; 

 And yet, with all my outlay, I've got nothing but a 



cough. 



"No pike I've seen the only one was that unpleasant 



wicket, 

 Where threepence I was forced to pay, and now I've lost 



the ticket ; 

 Nor yet a single perch for which my lucky stars to 



thank, 

 Except the perch I've taken in this cold, rheumatic 



bank." 



of our readers may have seen the 

 picture in Punch of a devoted angler and his 

 friend, the former of whom, in the midst of 

 a drenching shower, is perched on the top of a 



