39 



correctness of Dr. Johnson's opinion, which, 

 on subjects connected with field sports, is 

 not to be received as infallible. I am con- 

 vinced, that though the ancients might not 

 be such proficients in the art of angling as 

 the moderns, they were well acquainted with 

 many things which are considered as modern 

 improvements in the art of fishing. Besides 

 their knowledge of the snap-hook, pastes, 

 and of the utility of enclosing a fish from 

 another water, when using the basket-net, 

 they were not ignorant of the contrivance 

 of the swivel-hook to facilitate the motion 

 of the spinning bait. 



Oliver. You were acquainted with Thomas 

 Bewick, I believe, Mr. Bell, was he an 

 angler ? 



Bell. Certainly he was. With his love of 

 hills and streams, green fields, and trees, 

 and flowers, and of all the beautiful animals 

 which run, and swim, and fly, 



fair creatures ! to whom Heaven 



A calm and sinless life, with love, hath given" 



