146 THE ANGLER'S GUIDE. 



how strong and sharp was the hook ; and read 

 to her what Isaac Walton said about catching 

 jack and pike, telling her at the same time 

 that he had been obliged to give up the 

 thoughts of catching trout, because the tackle 

 for that purpose would have cost much more 

 money. He added also that he thought she 

 might soon fancy a new bonnet, or a gown, 

 and therefore he would keep the money in 

 reserve for that purpose. He had some know- 

 ledge of womankind, and had found by expe- 

 rience that five kind words would do more 

 to pacify a woman than five thousand of an 

 opposite character; he' always carried his cause 

 by kindness, not by storm. Still, his wife 

 was not at rest respecting his angling excur- 

 sion ; she could not get the thoughts of his 

 tumbling into the water out of her head ; but 

 said she should not care so much if some 

 others were going with him. 



Mr. Bigings had at first conceived the idea 

 of going by himself, and that for two reasons ; 

 one, because he thought there would be no 

 one with him to see his blunders ; and the 

 other, because he should be more like Isaac 

 Walton, who was so fond of being by himself, 

 arid enjoying his own thoughts. But he did not 



