28 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



man roasteth not that which he took in 

 hunting." Anglers may be laughed at as 

 they pass along, by those who may be going 

 to a gambling-house or one of ill fame ; but 

 let such persons laugh, and let them go ; 

 they will have their sport, and the angler will 

 have his, but who will have the greatest peace 

 of mind at night, and sleep the soundest? 

 And who will feel the strongest the next 

 morning, and have his head the clearest for 

 business ? I hope I have many angling friends 

 who can answer these interrogations with the 

 greatest confidence and satisfaction. In fact, 

 I know I have, and I congratulate them on 

 their happy choice, and wish them every 

 pleasure while engaged in fishing for roach. 

 I shall now only just give a little ditty to 

 please my young friends, and with roach 

 I have done. And it must be in praise of 

 the roach, in my favourite river, the Lea. 



THE KOACH OF THE LEA. 



The Roach of the Lea 



Are the finest you see 

 In the whole of fair England's bright rivers, 



And so game and so strong, 



That to play with them wrong, 

 They will shatter your tackle to shivers. 



