CHAPTER I. 



IN MEMORIAM. 



Bright visions filled with faces of old friends 

 Long since departed to the silent land." 



AXY years have elapsed since the first issue of 

 the " GUIDE." Many of its early friends, and 

 those who took pleasure in contributing to its 

 pages, and counselled with the writer, 



" Have crossed the shining river." 



Among them none was more revered, respected, or beloved 

 as a divine, a Christian, a gentleman, a scholar, or follower 

 of the art we love, than the American editor of " Walton's 

 Complete Angler," the Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D., of 

 whomjjhis personal friend, the Rev. Dr. Willets, says : " How 

 many rare and royal qualities united in that single man ! 

 The learned scholar, the eloquent reader, the impassions! 

 orator, the graceful poet, the polished wit, the charming con- 

 versationalist, the humble and devout Christian, and the able 

 and eloquent preacher of the gospel he was in each of 

 these qualities eminent, and with all combined one of the 

 choicest and rarest of men." 



How beautifully he speaks, and how reverentially, of the 

 time he spent in the pursuit of the " gentle art " in his " AVal- 



