SCIENCE VERSUS CHANCE. 3 



blast of all the Fishermen that have ever flogged water could not blow 

 science out of Salmon-catching , for it is absolutely there, involved it 

 may be, but there, and the very essence of the sport itself. Let such 

 objectors remember the story of the gentleman in one of Moliere's plays 

 who suddenly discovers that he has been talking prose all his life without 

 knowing it. The real matter for decision is, Shall your knowledge be 

 confused, undigested, vague, or badly stowed '? or, shall it be methodical, 

 organised, precise, and always ready to hand ? Behind each art lies a 

 corresponding science, and the art of Salmon-angling clearly has its 

 science ; though, for the most part, it still waits to be evolved. Let 

 the science be elaborated by all means, and full}' compacted. How much 

 of it he will have, each man can settle for himself. You may plunge 

 into it up to the neck out of pure love of the thing, or you may have no 

 more than that sprinkling, which even mediocrity needs. But for their 

 own sakes, I pray Salmon-fishers to look upon " science " as their friend, 

 and not as a bugbear. 



How are we going to get at this science ? By the orthodox route. 

 "Where is it ? In all seriousness it is hard to find, and the guide-posts 

 are few and often misleading. Facts obtained or obtainable, observation, 

 experiment, will serve us; and if we exercise our brains to collect, com- 

 pare, classify, and generalise, we shall soon tread on the heels of those 

 advanced laws and principles which we wish to apply in adapting our 

 means to the ends we have in view. 



In the wide field of observation there is much to be gathered. Every 

 Fisherman can contribute help here without entering upon the more 

 austere operations of " science." The more facts, the safer the induction. 

 It should, however, be noted that observation is of value in proportion as 

 it is accurate ; and that really accurate observations are not so common 

 as might be thought. Eminent scientists have testified how difficult it is 

 even for a man of superior intelligence, to keep distinct what he actually 

 sees from what he thinks he sees. (A man in a fog appears bigger than 

 he is ; a fish in the water is not in the place in which he seems to be.) 

 It is so very easy to see what agrees with one's own preconceived 

 ideas. 



Even where verification is easy and the matter of observation within 



B2 



