216 ANGLING. 



Yet anon it maketh considerable gains from sur- 

 rounding hills, assuming a more dilated and goodly 

 aspect ; rivulet after rivulet adds to its breadth, as 

 it widens up gently and unconsciously with the 

 valley through which it flows : nor is each petty 

 feeder without its use, a nursery for the young 

 fry, it annually sends forth, shoal on shoal, to dis- 

 port among roomier waters in the leading stream. 

 As it descends, these resources become larger, often 

 contending for the precedence, and yet in nowise 

 worthy of such distinction. The Tweed itself pre- 

 serves the superiority in depth and directness, as 

 well as length of course and travel." * 



Let this suffice as a short discursive sketch of 

 the different characters which streams and rivers 

 bear in reference to the Angler's art. 



Our much loved lochs need not detain us long. 

 The chief delight of this enchanting sport is the 

 immeasurable sweep of unrestricted surface which 

 we there command, and the prevailing freedom from 

 close-incumbering trees, sharp rocks, old roots, 

 and fiercely foaming waters. The ability to throw 

 a lengthened line is here required, but less nicety 

 perhaps is needful in the casting, the great point 

 being to fish over the whole surface within one's 

 reach, rather than as in the river courses to at- 

 tain with nicety some special spot, 



" Where low submerged the princely salmon lies." 



The more uniform surface of a lake, and the greater 



* Stoddart's Art of 'Angling, p. 4. 



