58 



meet kindred spirits, and form friendships and connections, 

 that make life pleasant. 



Many of these clubs rent waters for the use of their mem- 

 bers, which would not be within the reach of individuals. 



Scientific papers on the art are occasionally read, and dis- 

 cussions based on them; lectures and smoking concerts are 

 often added to the programme ; some of them possess extensive 

 circulating libraries accessible to their members only, while 

 most of their rooms are hung with specimen fish, portraits of 

 prominent anglers, aquatic birds, flies, &c. In winter evenings, 

 when angling is out of the question, the interest in the sport 

 is thus kept up, and plans for the coming season formed, tackle 

 compared, and various other matters arranged. 



Most of the London clubs admit country members at a 

 lower rate of subscription than ordinary members, and thus 

 benefits accrue on both sides. Country members, when in 

 town, can obtain all the advantages enumerated, and they have 

 occasionally the opportunity of procuring the town member 

 a day's fishing " far from the madding crowd." 



RED PALMER. 



