212 PLEASURES OF ANGLING. 



no thought " for the generations to come, who 

 will follow us with their blessings or their maledic- 

 tions according as what we project or accomplish 

 is petty and injurious or grand and beneficent. 



Many wonder that veteran anglers so often enter 

 this vast solitude alone, or with but one or two 

 companions. The answer is easy. It is impossible 

 for men of radically dissimilar tastes in minor mat- 

 ters to always enjoy each others' companionship in 

 the compulsory intimacy of camp-life. The slight- 

 est exhibition of uneasiness, discontent or impa- 

 tience is sufficient to cast a shadow upon the whole 

 camp, and excite perpetual apprehension lest the 

 programme of the day shall run counter to the 

 wishes of some of " the crowd." One who goes 

 into the woods to find a respite from the rasping 

 collisions of business or professional life, does not 

 like to encounter disharmonies in the very solitude 

 where he had thought to find repose. It would 

 not be difficult to pick up a score of good fellows, 

 enthusiastic anglers and excellent companions ; but 

 it would be difficult to find half that number who 

 would be always in harmony on the minor points 

 of camp-life. There are some who desire to be 

 always moving and others who are satisfied wher- 

 ever the surroundings are pleasant and fishing tole- 

 rable who are content with the poorest " luck," 



