230 ANGLING. 



while listening to the varied notes of the birds, that always 

 frequent the borders of streams and lakes, or watching 

 the motions of some little animal that will occasionally 

 peep out upon one while occupied in his quiet amuse- 

 ment. 



When we are seeking pleasure, it is not necessarily 

 the prominent object of pursuit that is the source of the 

 principal enjoyment we experience. Our object may be 

 an errand of business in itself disagreeable, and our pleas- 

 ures may spring from our adventures and observations 

 during the time occupied in the performance of the errand. 

 A walk is seldom interesting, however pleasant the scen- 

 ery and other objects on the road, if we are sauntering 

 without any particular aim. But if we have gone out to 

 accomplish a certain purpose, which is of sufficient impor- 

 tance to keep up our resolution to proceed, many a scene 

 on the road may be productive of a high degree of pleas- 

 ure. Thus it seems to me that in angling the pleasure 

 of the pursuit is, in almost all cases, derived from collat- 

 eral circumstances, though the latter would be nothing 

 without the purpose before us of taking our finny game. 



The pleasure of angling consists in having some agree- 

 able purpose to occupy the mind while indulging in the 

 voluptuous sensations that attend us when surrounded 

 by the charming accompaniments of green fields, fragrant 

 woods, and pleasant prospects. To sit beside a stream 

 for half a day, under the spreading branches of an oak, 

 would 'be but a dull amusement for the most enthusiastic 

 lover of nature, if he had no purpose in view except to en- 

 joy the mere sensations derived from surrounding objects. 

 But let him throw a hook and bait into the stream, with 

 the intention of taking a few fishes to grace his table ; 

 and however insignificant their value, it is sufficient to 

 furnish a motive for watching a float for many hours. The 

 expectations which are thus aroused, and the agreeable 



