OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 



BLACKWOOD'S MAGAZINE. 



" Mr. Stewart has the reputation of being a most successful 

 angler, and his fame is on many waters. Therefore, holding the 

 views which we have already expressed touching the general 

 selfishness of the fraternity, we cannot too much admire his 

 single-heartedness in compiling a work which, if attended to, 

 must transmute the veriest tyro into a tolerably prosperous 

 fisherman. We suspect that some who now rank as his rivals 

 will barely thank him for his revelations, on the score that it is 

 not expedient either to multiply the number of rods, or to 

 divulge secrets which must tend to a considerable thinning of 

 the streams. They, the adepts, believe themselves to constitute 

 n high and worshipful piscatory lodge, with mysteries peculiar 

 to their degree ; and they may not altogether approve of the 

 extreme liberality of their excellent brother in opening the eyes 

 of the uninitiated. However, they may comfort themselves 

 with the reflection that darkness rather than light is the 

 deliberate choice of the million. The best teaching in the 

 world is thrown away upon stupidity and self-conceit ; and that 

 not only in ethics, but in such practical matters as angling. . . . 

 One special recommendation of this book as an angling treatise 

 is, the clearness with which Mr. Stewart lays down his positions, 

 and the care which he has bestowed on the proof. He does not 

 content himself with merely giving directions ; he explains, and 

 always lucidly, why such directions are given." 



ATHENAEUM. 



" Although this book be on angling, there is something new 

 in it. We feel bound to say this much at the outset ; for any one 

 might be excused for believing that all that could be written on 

 this subject had been accomplished long ago. Mr. Stewart, how- 

 ever, has given additional value to a pleasant little volume by 

 his expression of some original views and assertions, based upon 



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