248 AN ANGLER'S HOURS xiv 



attainable. It is in fact a large mill-pool, 

 where is a splendid mill-race gushing out 

 over bottomless depths, which gradually 

 shelve up to a wide shallow. Upon this 

 forbidden pool the brethren often cast a 

 discerning eye, and speculate on the probable 

 weight of the trout that must inhabit it. 

 Nor do they hesitate to speak of ten and 

 even twelve - pounders, and sometimes, as 

 they lean upon the bridge and give rein to 

 their fancy, you may hear darkling hints 

 as to what they would catch could they 

 only find themselves standing in their waders 

 on the shelf of that great tumultuous hole 

 with their trusty spinning-rod in hand, and 

 of course the card of invitation in pocket. 

 But prophecy is somewhat akin to faith, as 

 explained for us by the Sunday scholar ; it 

 consists principally in asserting what will 

 happen in case of certain contingencies that 

 will not arise. In this instance the con- 

 tingency is the card of invitation, for the 

 mill-pool is very strictly and (let me add) 

 properly preserved. This is perhaps as well, 

 for it saves the brethren from the possible 

 fate of the prophet convicted of falsity, and 

 at the same time allows them the pleasures 



