TIPS. 97 



still, he prides iiinisclf on being imparlial, and tells mc he likes to give 

 all a chance in turn." 



" Yes ; but, as you rather imply, the common and widespread 

 mistake of priding one's self in that way arises from a lack of 

 knowledge, foresight, and judgmeni ; and, mind \-ou, it invariably 

 results in leaving the larder enipt)', though the run of fish be never so 

 large." 



This revelation fell like a bombshell on the ear of the noble Inrd. 

 It made a profound impression upon him, and, turning to me, he 

 acknowledged that my view, which on previous occasions had been 

 expressed, had received complete confnmation. 



Continuing, the veteran said : " It would be difficult to measure 

 the damaging effect produced this morning ; such a Catch as this 

 always abounds in points of interest, which, even under favourable 

 circumstances, usually tax one's resources to the utmost limit. 

 Nevertheless, the preliminaries of the scheme for getting a fish 

 ' on ' at the lower part are easy to compass, but to keep him in 

 custody there, to prevent him slipping ' off,' calls for a line of action, 

 fatal as a rule, but absolutely insejiarable from the only effectual 

 policv. However, I shall begin by telling your lordship that my turn 

 came just now with no good results, but still I hope to show that, by 

 adopting a widely different scheme presently, a similar mishap to 

 that which occurred can, and may be avoided." 



" Lost a fash, did you ? " 



" Yes, at the boulder ; and so, for the present, I must devote my 

 attention to those rising at the tail. Allow me to suggest that if you 

 can convince yourself by ocular demonstration of the separate scliemes 

 suitable for each place, it would save me from entering into a long 



