32 AN ANGLER'S HOURS m 



the angler would consent to give it up, he 

 would turn highwayman and rob omnibuses 

 in the Strand to procure funds, or blow up 

 the Houses of Parliament and disorganise 

 the kingdom to procure leisure. He must 

 fish, in fact. If the shattered globe were 

 falling to pieces about his ears he would be 

 found hurrying off to his favourite stream, 

 rod in hand, that he might perish there 

 decently and in order always provided, of 

 course, that the lamentable event happened 

 about the end of April. Against all reason, 

 too, he must have his spring fishing. Tell 

 him that the east wind blows constantly in 

 April and May, that if he waits till the 

 beginning of June he will be able to catch 

 much finer and fatter trout with the May- 

 fly in streams much nearer home ; it is all 

 in vain ; he will shake his head, admit the 

 force of your arguments, and say that he is 

 going down to the West Country by the 

 first train to-morrow. 



Opinions differ as to which part of the 

 country offers most attractions to the trout- 

 fisher in spring. Many a tempting adviser 

 would tell us to go north. By the negative 

 process (than which is none more insidious), 



