INHUMANITY OF ANGLING. 187 



of indulgence shown him that it would betray great 

 peevishness of temper to get out of humour with a few 

 sneers or dull jokes from those, who, generally speaking, 

 have no knowledge of the art they are slighting. 



There have been some witty attacks on fishing written 

 in Holland, from time to time, within the last two 

 centuries. There was one piece, in verse, published at 

 the Hague, about sixty years ago, which took the subject 

 of the eastern transmigration of souls as the foundation 

 of its satirical strictures ; and the writer made out a very 

 funny article at the expense of the angler and his art. 

 Similar productions, though little known, are to be found 

 both in Trench and Italian literature. 



The following effusion is from the pen of the well- 

 known Peter Pindar. 



" BALLAD TO A FISH IN THE BROOK. 



Why fliest thou away with fear ? 



Trust me there's nought of danger here j 



I have no wicked hook, 

 All covered over with a snaring bait, 

 Alas ! to tempt thee to thy fate, 



And drag thee from the brook. 



Oh, harmless tenant of the flood, 

 I do not wish to spill thy blood ; 



For nature unto thee 

 Perchance has given a tender wife, 

 And children dear, to charm thy life, 



As she hath done to me. 



