INTRODUCTION. Vll 



little shed by the water-side, with all his tackle 

 round him, while his companion, rod in hand, 

 stands disconsolately by. Ingler No. 2 evi- 

 dently thinks it high time to retire, and he 

 intimates this to Angler No. 1, who turns upon 

 him with indignation, not unmingled with dis- 

 gust " Go home ! What d'ye mean ? You 

 come out for a day's pleasure, and you're always 

 wanting to go home ! " 



No: if you have no love for this sport, no 

 great patience, no care for quiet contemplation, 

 don't go river-fishing ; but to those who delight 

 in it, what charms it possesses ! charms all 

 unknown to others. There is the fresh air, the 

 calm quiet, the interest which is always alive, 

 but rarely unduly excited ; there is the neces- 

 sary exercise of caution ; there is the triumphant 

 success of a well-filled basket success which 

 gives additional zest to the comfortable dinner 

 at the snug hostelry which overlooks the 

 stream. Such things are not to be despised. 

 Eiver scenery is in itself attractive, and sug- 

 gestive of pleasant thoughts. 



But there are other and more exciting kinds 

 of fishing fishing in the deep sea, where the 

 net is let down for a draught. Who that has 

 stood by the sea- side, and watched the fishing 

 population busy'at their toil a salt-water race, 

 whose very dwellings look like stranded boats, 

 whose nets are drying in the sunshine, or being 

 mended by nimble fingers a population of 

 bronzed visages and hardy frames, used to 

 rough work and rough weather ; who that has 

 looked upon them, and talked with them, has 



