The Philosophy of Angling. 307 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THE PHILOSOPHY OF ANGLING. 



" You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another 

 belief, that angling is an art, and you know that art better than 

 others; and that this truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that 

 pleasant labor which yovi enjoy, — when you purpose to give rest 

 to your mind, and divest yourself of your more serious business, 

 and (which is often) dedicate a day or two to this recreation." — 

 IzAAK Walton. 



In the days of good old Father Izaak Walton angling 

 was, as stated by him in the title of his famous book, the 

 " contemplative man's recreation." While this is no less 

 true in our ovm day, the art of angling has extended its 

 sphere of usefulness by becoming not only the recreation 

 of the contemplative man, but of the active, stirring, over- 

 worked business and professional man, as well. While in 

 the comparatively slow-coach days of the quaint Walton 

 it was rather a recreation of choice, it has in this age of 

 steam become, in a measure, one of necessity. 



The American idea of rest and recreation seems to have 

 been based upon the Mosaic law of resting on the seventh, 

 or last, day of the week. A man must first gain a com- 

 petency and rest afterward, even if it took seven times 

 seven years to gain the first condition, wealth, for then 

 only would he be entitled, or in a proper condition to enjoy, 

 his otium cum dignitate. 



In the rapid race for wealth and distinction men labor 

 night and day, with mind anS muscle, especially during 

 the seasons of business activity. But too often, alas, they 

 labor in vain and find that the " bubble reputation," or 



