RECOLLECTIONS AND ADVICES. 127 



whether by the gift of a few hooks, which cost you al- 

 most nothing, or by assisting to mend his rod when 

 broken. Any such small service you will generally 

 find well repaid. Do not grudge a mouthful of what 

 was intended for your own refreshment, to one, al- 

 though a stranger, who seems to require it as well as 

 yourself. Be more civil to the gamekeeper than the 

 squire, if caught in a trespass, but always put on a 

 good-humoured face in order to get easily out of the 

 scrape. When attacked by a watch-dog, give him 

 across the head with the butt of your rod, and send a 

 stone after him to keep him company to his kennel. 

 Should a bull attack you, trust to your heels, or, if 

 too late, stand steady, and jerk yourself out of the way 

 the moment he lowers his horns ; he will rush on se- 

 veral yards, as if blindfold, and take a couple of minutes 

 before he repeats his charge ; use these to your advan- 

 tage. Never carry another man's fish, nor part with 

 your own to adorn an empty creel ; in the one case 

 you are tempted to bounce, and in the other you act 

 the tempter. Should you hook a large fish and lose 

 him, there is no need to publish your misfortune ; sym- 

 pathy in such a case is out of the question ; and if you 

 gain credit, you do more than you deserve. When en- 

 gaged to compete with another angler, set about it si- 

 lently ; a boast on your part is an advantage to him, 

 which you may understand the better on the close of 

 the contest. When crowed over by a very indifferent 

 angler, take it good-humouredly ; it is easier to depre- 

 ciate skill than to possess it. Beware of tackle-puffers, 

 and of such especially, of whom there is at least one 

 in Edinburgh, who can afford to sell real Limericks at 

 one-fourth of the cost at which they can be fabricated 

 in Ireland. Had King Solomon been an angler, he 

 would have added another chapter to his book of Pro- 



