THE SALMON. 177 



to be thrown first across, and then drawn up the 

 stream. 



But why prolong our precepts, for what know- 

 ledge can a man acquire of this or any other glo- 

 rious art by reading ? Or what will book-learning 

 avail when one comes not only to " speak o' loupin" 

 ow'r a linn," but actually to do it, or lose his fish, 

 which has already done it ; and see ! on either 

 side how thick a skreen of rocks and tangled brush- 

 wood ! Where be your rules, Oh angler, cut and 

 dry, when a man begins to change his mind and 

 wishes to change his direction 'mid some delusive 

 ford of unknown depth, when giant trees are vehe- 

 mently stooping, the howling winds above, be- 

 neath, "the hell of waters ?" Can a Christian learn 

 to skate by the fire-side ? Can a sailor be taught 

 to leap a five-barred gate on board of ship, or avoid 

 saddle-sickness when on actual horse-back, by study- 

 ing either " Riding made Easy," or a treatise on 

 tanning? Can a landsman escape sea-sickness 

 when at sea, by acquiring a knowledge of Clerk's 

 " Naval Tactics " on shore ? Can an ass become 

 a philosopher by reading an Encyclopaedia both by 

 day and night ? Can a philosopher cease to be 

 an ass by not reading it either by night or day \ 

 Never ! Never ! Never ! * 



In sad and simple truth, the writing of a book 

 on almost any subject is what J. Gr. L. would not 

 inelegantly call " humbug." Then why do you 

 write one yourself? enquires our gentle and con- 



* Never! P.D. 

 Q 



