JULY 187 



but it brought gnashing of teeth with it. It was at 

 the opposite end of the loch, where the principal 

 feeder comes down the mountains and enters the loch 

 in a broad bay with many sand-bars. Here a salmon 

 rolled up, and like the other, missing the first time, 

 took firmly the second, and was fast. Alas ! ' we only 

 met to learn how hard it was to part.' Something 

 happened ; the rod sprang up ; half the cast with one 

 fly, instead of three, dangled loose in the breeze. 



I have sounded all the depths of woe within reach of 

 an ordinary existence : believe me, there is no anguish 

 like that which follows the loss of a fish by fracture. 

 For every breach of the Decalogue the common sinner 

 may be shriven ; but for the clumsiness or carelessness 

 which allows a fish to break tackle in clear, deep water, 

 there is endless penance of self-reproach, and there is 

 never absolution. 



