ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 143 



they rival England's eldest oaks not in height, I 

 allow, but in circumference of stem ; perhaps in age 

 also. See these knotted congers and hideous con- 

 strictors the writhing and athletic mass of disin- 

 terred roots. Are they not worth our contemplat- 

 ing? Here, Bill, let us drop. 



May. What! among these ferns, and in the prox- 

 imity of this ant-hill? I love not the offensive crawl- 

 ers, nor consider my flesh safe in their neighbour- 

 hood. They are a bandit brood, and infest the 

 bracken-forest far and wide. Rather let us ascend 

 to yonder jut of gray rock, from which the bearded 

 goat hath just now sprung; 'tis more to my mind as 

 a resting-place, and is sheltered also by another of 

 these alders, fully as large and fantastic as the one 

 which you first admired. 



Swivel. We are both of us bad selectors of a lux- 

 urious seat. If you dread ants, I am no friend to a 

 rough, hard, and uneasy stone-crag, when it may 

 be avoided by our progressing to yonder patch of 

 smooth, dry verdure, the very spot which a wood- 

 nymph would select for her summer couch. It is 

 both sunned and shaded, and see, from its ferny 

 marge, upstart two gentle roes, wild, beautiful crea- 

 tures children of a dream. They are not altogether 

 afraid, but pause and turn to gaze with large, mild 

 eye, on our intruding presence. Who that saw 

 them now could be their butcher ? 



May. I would not trust even thyself, Doctor, wert 

 thou aptly armed. 'Tis bad sensibility, and maw- 



