270 FOREIGN ANGLING LITERATURE 



cribe one of these, minus the spirit and vivacity of the 

 original, to impart, if we can, some general idea as to the 

 manner that French angling tourists treat the subject. 

 The following lines appeared at Rouen in 1840, and refer 

 to the river Saone. 



No fairer land can meet the eye, 



Than skirts thy banks, O Saone ! 

 Nor groves so sweet, and gardens green, 



Nor lovelier skies e'er shone. 



Thy gorgeous shades ne'er seem to tire 



The angler's graphic eye ; 

 When streams gush out with sparkling foam, 



And purple fires the sky. 



Thy waters play and flowers adorn 



Thy banks so fair and green ; 

 And birds of richest plumage rest 



In wooded copse unseen. 



The trout regales in purest streams, 



And shows his golden hue j 

 And anglers ply their art with zest, 



Nor need their labours rue. 



Thy upper streams, when near thy source, 



No richer scene can show ; 

 And e'en when traffic soils thy breast, 



They still in grandeur flow. 



No angling pleasures can be found 



More racy and more sweet, 

 Than on thy hallow'd banks to roam 



When prudence guides the feet. 



