Pleasures attending Angling. 7 



boulders, lie strewed around, resting in ruddy beds of 

 brachen, and of fern, or sternly standing out among the 

 patches of golden -flowered broom or gorse. A stillness 

 here reigns, scarce broken by the beck that murmurs on 

 its endless way, while the hawk sails stealthily on his 

 hunting path. The red grouse clucking " among the 

 heather," the piping note of the curlew, or the plain- 

 tive whistle of the sandpiper, and the shrill call of the 

 plover, at times startle him from his sport ; but all unite 

 to give a zest to his day out among the mountain streams, 

 which cannot be truly appreciated but by those who have 

 experienced it. For " Trouting in a mountain brook is 

 an experience of life so distinct from every other, that 

 every man should enjoy at least one in his day." 



If his " day out" be to the low grounds, and their 

 purling streams, he may enjoy a landscape lovelier but less 

 grand. The cultivated fields, the pleasant hedgerows, and 

 the embowering woods will enchant him. The songs of 

 countless birds above, and the intensely coloured wild 

 flowers by his path beneath, the cuckoo's welcome notes 

 and the cooing of the ring-dove, all call forth a joyous 

 pleasure in his heart. In fact, every object he sees, every 

 occurrence he meets with, opens a mine of information 

 and redoubles his enjoyment. 



" These shades are still the abodes 



Of undissembled gladness ; the thick roof 



Of green and stirring branches is alive 



And musical with birds, that sing and sport 



In wantonness of spirit ; while below, 



The squirrel, with raised paws and form erect, 



Chirps merrily. 



Throngs of insects in the glade 

 Try their thin wings, and dance in the warm beam 

 That waked them into life. Even the green trees 

 Partake the deep contentment ; as they bend 

 To the soft winds, the sun from the blue sky 

 Looks in and sheds a blessing on the scene. 



Scarce less the cleft-born wild-flower seems to enjoy 



