THE PAR. 95 



able angler, as a principle he ought to adopt, to com- 

 mit again to the waters those tiny fish which come ig- 

 norantly to his hook, and, at best, are but a meagre 

 morsel, and give small proof of his skill in the gentle 

 craft. There are unprincipled poachers enough, who 

 make it a glory to harass our waters with net and lath, 

 who annually diminish by some millions the healthiest 

 fry of our salmon, who depopulate many a river by 

 means of their nocturnal enginery ; but we wish not to 

 see classed with these, the humane and virtuous, the 

 true and patriotic, angler, who should always be above 

 employing his energies on such indiscriminate slaughter, 

 caring not to check the growth of some future salmon, 

 by the unprofitable and childish act of destroying the 

 infant fish. 



