INTRODUCTORY AND EGOTISTICAL. 11 



growl, and snarl, and find all sorts of faults with all I had 

 done and all I had not done, it was too much for human 

 nature. I kept my temper, however, and quietly stepping 

 over the gunwale into about four feet water, I said, 

 " Grood morning, gentlemen, I think you will do better 

 without me ; we will meet at dinner." And extremely 

 glad I do believe they were to get rid of me. 



My reflections, as I lounged along the lake side, were 

 not of the most agreeable nature. I felt like a guilty 

 thing, like one who ought to be ashamed ; but still as the 

 knot was on my line without my knowledge, I found 

 excuses for myself, and my disposition not being a des- 

 pondent one, soon recovered my usual equanimity; and 

 when I got out of sight of the old boys, sat down, reeled 

 all the line off my wheel, untied the knot, and resolved to 

 fish for trout along the river which runs from the lake, 

 and flows, foaming amongst rocks and precipices, and 

 glades and meadows, towards the inn at Bethgellart. 



I began at the spot where the stream leaves the lake, 

 sometimes tossing the smaller fish lightly to the bank, 

 sometimes wading under overhanging trees and slowly 

 drawing to the landing-net the speckled beauties of a 

 larger size. The day was fine, my ardour great, the water 

 in good order, and my success was commensurate, for I 

 was really a handy trout fisher. Long before the slanting 

 beams of the declining sun had given evidence cf the 

 approach of evening, my small kreel was full; but not 



