INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 5 



The mere sight of a fishing-line in after-life is often- 

 times sufficient, without the aid of other accessories, to 

 awake pleasant memories of the past. " Quels souvenirs 

 touchants cette ligne peut rappeler \" writes Lacepede : and 

 if there must always be a touch of melancholy blending 

 with these pleasant associations associations which the 

 chances of life, or of death, may perhaps make it impossible 

 that we should ever renew depend upon it, it is not the 

 melancholy that " corrodes," but rather the tender senti- 

 ment which soolhes the heart where it rests, and leaves its 

 owner a kindlier and a better man. 



But I am forgetting my utilitarian motto. To all true 

 anglers, then, I venture to submit these pages ; and I would 

 say to them, grudge not a few hours, or even days, to a 

 pursuit which will assuredly repay you fiftyfold by years 

 of after- gratification. 



