ANGLING REMINISCENCES. 173 



cipated in on this occasion, is the only remaining 

 fragment we possess relating to the now defunct 



fraternity at C h. 



The subsequent spring brought along with it to 

 their customary haunts no return of jovial and 

 light-hearted souls. One member only, save our- 

 selves, of the dispersed brotherhood was beheld 

 traversing the deserted valley. Over his broad 

 shoulders waved carelessly a long, black wand, the 

 point of which ever and anon caught among the 

 obtruding twigs of a green hazel fence. Nor did 

 this repeated annoyance seem in the least degree 



I to ruffle the temper of the philosophic angler, who, 

 at the continual recurrence of it, retraced his steps 

 with unaltered patience, in order to extricate his 

 line from the mischievous impediment. It was our 

 friend Jack Leister. 



Jack Leister ! We cannot speak of changes in 

 the melancholy manner they ought to be spoken of, 

 but a certain pressure of our comrade's hand, as 

 we came up to him, denoted that he had not alto- 

 gether escaped their influence. The breaking up 



of the fraternity at C h had greatly affected 



him, and it was evident he possessed no degree of 

 appetite for the sport which he almost unconsciously 

 was about to pursue. 



But why say more of this our interview to both 

 of us so sad ! Why linger over scenes which it were 

 better to close up, lest, opening them afresh, we 

 open the heart with them? Ah! the enthusiasm of 



