1 AKOLINO. 



frequents, the state of his appetite, and the particulai 

 variety of his taste at different seasons of tlie year, and in 

 different waters. They may know but little of entomo- 

 logy ; but they know the attractiveness of a May-fly to 

 a speckled trout. Anglers study natural history in a natu- 

 ral way, and in the best school — that of experience ; and 

 hence the Englishman becomes not only the best and 

 keenest sportsman, but almost the apostle of sport in every 

 part of the globe. 



It was formerly the fashion to jeer at the angler — he 

 .vas cruel, foolish, and wrong — but we have outlived this 

 sickly sentimentalism ; a stronger, healthier, natural feel- 

 ing pervades our national life. The whirling industry of 

 the people requires some relaxation ; and can we wonder 

 that the thousand charms of " the honest man's recrea- 

 tion " commends it to thousands who wish for exercise 

 and amusement 1 Exercise, as we have elsewhere shown,* 

 is but of little use to the dyspeptic, unless it is carried out 

 with a motive. The love of sport, and the gentle excite- 

 ment of angling, furnishes that motive in the most unex- 

 ceptional manner. It carries, too, its votary out of the dull 

 beaten track of mankind, and places the city-pent, health- 

 seeking, holiday-making angler face to face with nature in 

 her most unconventional moods. 



Nor is this all. There is a fascination in the sport which 

 has captivated the greatest minds of the world. We have 

 a fine picture of the brave old Christopher North, as a 

 child in petticoats, " whipping a stream " for " wee 

 troutie.'' We have him as the sfcilwart man, wandering 

 through his native hills and by the roaring stream, com- 



* Gymnastics for the Young and Sedentary, London : Warne 

 ic Co. 



