462 THE SALMON* FLY. 



competent judgment in favour of this view. Their verdict has never 

 been challenged ; and if " there is no vocation that claims for its 

 contingent a finer race of men than Angling level-headed Britons whose 

 lives are superior to those of lower fortune more by the graceful exercise 

 of generous qualities than for their immediate possessions," it is quite 

 certain that no sport has gained favour with fashionable folk so fast as 

 Salmon fishing. Surely business and- sport are not incompatible. Surely 

 there is more wisdom and more benefit in combining them than some 

 people like to believe. Life has time enough for both, and its enjoyment 

 is increased by the union. That being so, the sentiments with which the 

 author of this book hopes to be regarded by aJl who pursue Salmon 

 fishing enthusiastically, and by those who swim only with the stream, are 

 such, perhaps, as it would take a real enthusiast to understand and 

 appreciate. To others, even to that vast multitude in the outer world 

 who, with special delight, estimate our pursuit merely as a light and 

 infectious recreation, the enthusiasm itself can scarcely be intelligible. 

 But the view by our recruits, taken as they find their brain ceases to 

 perform its work efficiently when the heart's work is imperfectly done, is 

 a different one altogether. They study the subject and soon declare that 

 difficulties at the riverside may often be surmounted by indomitable 

 energy, unfailing punctuality, and intelligent reasoning. Afterwards, 

 with the exercise of other attributes not always combined in one 

 individuality, such as absolute self-confidence (" for they can conquer who 

 believe they can"), tenacity of purpose, equability of temper, and a 

 generous and elegant hospitality to colleagues with whom they come into 

 contact, these recruits concentrate their ideas ; and, thinking of it all as an 

 art, in which the degrees of attainable excellence are practically infinite, 

 and the attainment of supreme excellence extremely rare, eagerly contest 

 every inch of ground for promotion in our ranks. Finally, they acquire 

 a train of thoughts that engender thought thoughts that shed a gleam 

 of light on the more obscure problems, and without a shadow of doubt 

 give permanence to the enchantment of every day life. The question 

 whether experts are born or made is, like any such query, hardly 

 necessary to discuss. Prevailing opinion has it that skilled performers 

 are always made. How else could it be ? Skill at the riverside, or at 



