PREFACE. 



THESE pages formed the occupation of the Author 

 during some months of severe and dangerous illness, 

 when he was wholly incapable of attending to more 

 useful studies, or of following more serious pursuits. 

 They constituted his amusement in many hours which 

 otherwise would have been unoccupied and tedious ; 

 and they are published in the hope that they may 

 possess an interest for those persons who derive 

 pleasure from the simplest and most attainable kind 

 of rural sports, and who practise the art, or patronise 

 the objects of contemplation, of the Philosophical 

 Angler. 



The conversational manner and discursive style 

 were chosen as best suited to the state of health of 

 the Author, who was incapable of considerable efforts 



