94 FISHING GOSSIP. 
sorely tempted to doubt, indeed, whether the author 
himself had any ideas to convey; the few vague 
generalities, such as that it is his aim to “render the 
fisherman all the assistance in his power ”—that his 
writings were “eagerly sought for and favourably 
noticed ”—and that he has acted upon the advice and 
suggestions of those “several literary and other 
friends” (save us from our friends !), who always 
come in so opportunely on these occasions, indicating 
rather the consciousness of mental haziness than 
lucidity on the point. But stay; we have an idea 
(envy us, Mr. Bagnall !)—a happy thought strikes us 
—the “title?” The title of the book will surely give 
us some clue to the special want or desideratum in our 
bibliotheca piscatoria which it is its writer’s intention 
to supply. Alas, no! “ Piscatorial Rambles” can only 
mean the rambles of a piscator ; and is not this field 
already doubly occupied ?—vide Mr. Jesse’s Angler's 
Rambles, Rambles of a Fly-Fisher, etc. 
Evidently, therefore, “to dilate upon the nature 
of the work ” would, as Mr. Bagnall says, “be super- 
fluous.” It has no visible raison @étre ; and is con- 
sequently obnoxious to the gravest charge which can 
be urged against any book. The one solitary ray 
which its author does vouchsafe to guide us in our 
chimerian search after first principles, is that it has 
been his aim to “say nothing which “may not, 
directly or indirectly, be of practical utility ;” and 
