OBJECT OF FISHING. 27 



POIET. I cannot say I approve of this 

 manner of fishing : I lose my labour. 



HAL. As the object of your fishing, I 

 hope, is innocent amusement, you can enjoy 

 this, and show your skill in catching the 

 animal; and if every fish that took the May 

 fly were to be killed, there would be an end 

 to the sport in the river, for none would re- 

 main for next year. 



PHYS. The number of flies seems to in- 

 crease as the day advances^ and I never saw 

 a more animated water scene : all nature 

 seems alive; even the water-wagtails have 

 joined the attack upon these helpless and 

 lovely creations from the waters. 



HAL. It is now one o'clock; and between 

 twelve and three is the time when the May 

 fly rises with most vigour. It is a very warm 

 day, and with such a quantity of fly, every 

 fish in the river will probably be soon feed- 

 ing. See, below the wear, there are two or 

 three large trout lately come out; and from 

 the quiet way in which they swallow their 

 prey, and from the size of the tranquil un- 

 dulation that follows their rise, I suspect 



