26 OLD-FASHIONED ANGLING 



of a light or shining colour, but of a dark brown, 

 fitting closely to the body, so as not to fright the 

 fish away." The impediments to our anglers' re- 

 creation are named. " The fault may be occasioned 

 by his tackle, as when liis lines or hooks are too 

 large, when his bait is dead or decaying. If he 

 angles at a wrong time of day, when the fish are 

 not in the humour of taking his bait. If the fish 

 have been frightened by him or with his shadow. 

 If the weather be too cold. If the weather be too 

 hot. If it rains much or fast. If it hails or snows. 

 If it be tempestuous. If the wind blows high or 

 be in the east or north. Want of patience and the 

 want of a proper assortment of baits." Anglers are 

 also warned " never to fish in any water that is not 

 common without leave of the owner, which is seldom 

 denied to any but those that do not deserve it." 

 Another direction is given that would greatly 

 horrify any Blue Eibbon army man who might see 

 it, namely, '' if at any time, you happen to be over- 

 heated with walking or other exercise, you must 

 avoid small liquors as you would poison, and rather 

 take a glass of brandy, the instantaneous effects of 

 which in cooling the body and quenching drought 

 are amazing." 



The laws as to angling and fishing generally are 

 quoted at considerable length and seem most of 



