30 OLD-FASHIONED ANGLING 



great odds that lie will take it." The stick was 

 then to be detaclied from the line and the eel 

 allowed to gorge the bait. You were not to try 

 and draw him out hastily, but to give him time to 

 tire himself out by pulling. All I can say is, that if 

 anyone ever managed to get an eel out in this way he 

 must have had an uncommon share of luck. My own 

 experience shows me that when an eel gorges your 

 bait and gets into his hole, it is quite hopeless to 

 attempt to get him out, and the only plan is to pull 

 until something gives way, and that is never the 

 eel, but usually your hook, and sometimes the 

 line. 



Our author having given every kind of advice 

 and direction about angling, adds the following 

 admonition : — " Eemember that the wit and inven- 

 tion of mankind were bestowed for other purposes 

 tlian to deceive silly fish, and that, however delight- 

 ful angling may be, it ceases to be innocent when 

 used otherwise than as a mere recreation " ; and he 

 winds up all he has to say about fresh-water angling 

 thus : — " The editor having gone through the English 

 alphabet, takes the liberty to tell gentlemen that 

 the best way to secure fish is to transport poachers." 

 A very wise piece of advice, no doubt much acted 

 on in those days. 



In the second part of the book, devoted to sea 



