156 DAYS AND NIGHTS OF SALMON FISHING 



thought a poor, inanimate occupation ; and so, 

 indeed, it is in some cases ; and yet the passion 

 is so strong, that I believe the sedentary angler 

 who catches a roach or dace, worthless though he 

 be, and weak and diminutive withal, has as much 

 pleasure in his way, as the proud conqueror of a 

 twenty-pound salmon. 



I was once rowing on the Thames when a friend 

 hailed me from afar, and beckoned with joyous and 

 eager solicitation. Though I was pressed for time, 

 I pulled up to him against the wind and stream, for 

 I thought he had something of great moment to 

 impart ; but it was only to say, " that I would be 

 glad to hear he had caught two dozen gudgeons 

 that morning." But I do not think I was glad, at 

 least not particularly so, though he was a very 

 worthy man. 



As for myself, if I am ever so indiscreet as to utter 

 a word about fishing, I am always asked, " if it does 

 not require a great deal of patience." Now, these 

 sort of interrogators are in Cimmerian darkness as 

 to the real thing. But I tell them, that to be a first- 

 rate salmon fisher requires such active properties 

 as they never dreamed of in their philosophy. It 

 demands (salmon fishing at least) strength of arm 

 and endurance of fatigue, and a capability of walking 

 in the sharp streams for eight or ten hours together, 

 with perfect satisfaction to one's self ; and that early 

 in the spring season, when the clean salmon first 

 come forward. In after life, people are consider- 

 ably addicted to boats, and to go about attended 

 like admirals ; that is what we must all come to. 



