Ill 



preparing to spawn, and are more intent on enjoyment 

 than on the search for subsistence. 



It is true, this is not the case with all kinds, but being 

 very prevalent, should induce the angler to relinquish his 

 attempts to get a bite in that quarter, devoting his atten- 

 tion to those deeps whereto the larger and more vora- 

 cious fishes will partially retire. There, being less over- 

 come by the heat, and less under the eye of observation, 

 they will be more likely to come to his lure. 



I cannot pass over the absurd language of a gentleman 

 who, a few years back, published what he terms, a ra<f 

 llonal treatise on angling, wherein he would inculcate, 

 that particular kinds of fishes come out to feed " at th^ 

 even hours of the day" or, " half an hour before and 

 after the even hours," c. 



This is giving them credit for a progress in chronology, 

 which the enlightened mind cannot but ridicule : in fact, 

 the very attempt to pass such rubbish on the public, de- 

 serves its most pointed censure : it indicates a total defi- 

 ciency of knowledge, and an immense share of presump- 

 tion, in treating the subject so very particularly ; it looks 

 like an attempt to lead weak minds to an opinion of the 

 author being deeply versed in piscatorial practice -, or, 

 indeed, of having served as M. D. among the inhabi- 

 tants of the waters. 



According to the assertion of the author alluded to, it 

 would seem, that such fishes had a fresh appetite at the 

 expiration of every two hours : if this be true, the angler 

 must be particularly careful to have his watch duly regu- 

 lated before he throws in his line. 



Nevertheless, the work in question, is perhaps one of the 

 best that has hitherto appeared j being generally exempt 



from 



