INTRODUCTORY OBSERVATIONS 7 



are most munificently supplied with fine rich trout ; 

 and, in their higher localities, the scenery upon some of 

 their banks presents some of the most bewitching views 

 to the eye of one who has any artistic idea of landscape 

 sketches. 



In the northern countries of Europe, angling, chiefly 

 by English sportsmen, has been successfully practised 

 to a great extent. In Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and 

 even in Eussia, the British mode of angling is now 

 well known, and even followed with enthusiasm, by 

 many of the nobles of those respective countries. 



But the most cheering view for the angling enthusiast 

 in England, who revels in the delightful anticipation of 

 seeing his favourite sport becoming universal, is the 

 rapid progress which the amusement has made in the 

 United States of America. Here we see the accounts 

 daily, from the provincial prints in every section of the 

 Union, that angling clubs, and gatherings, and parties, 

 are now becoming quite fashionable in every direction 

 where there are fishable streams and rivulets. Almost 

 the entire district, from the New England States to the 

 foot of the Eocky Mountains west, and even to the very 

 shores of the Pacific Ocean in the Columbian district, 

 has been visited, within the space of a few years, by 

 professed anglers. And it is no uncommon thing to 

 undertake a fishing tour of a month or two, and devot- 

 ing the chief portion of the time to the search of new 

 and unfrequented localities for the prosecution of future 

 piscatory pastimes. 



We read in a recent number of a Cincinnati news- 

 paper, that Mr. Such-and-such-a-one had just arrived at 

 his own place of abode, all well, after a two months' 

 fishing excursion ; and that there would be a meeting 

 of the friends of the art, who lived in the town, to 

 congratulate him on his return. The angHng literature 

 of the States is increasing daily, and assuming that 

 scientific form and polished taste which show that the 

 mass of the people look upon the art as a truly improv- 

 able and intellectual one. We find, in the American 

 fishing-books, a number of spirited angling songs, worthy 



