150 Fisnina ry AmMEeRIcAN WATERS. 
emotions of pleasure to the best minds; and while much of 
it is due to the incomparable beauty and superior qualities of 
the fish, yet his habits and attributes command unmixed ad- 
miration. “He is an intellectual kind of creature, and has 
evidently a will of his own. He looks sagacious and intelli- 
gent—sedulously avoids thick, troubled, and muddy waters 
—prefers the clear spring stream—displays an ardent ambi- 
tion to explore streams to their source—is quick, vigorous, 
and elegant in his movements—likes to have the exclusive 
command of the stream—keeps up a rigid system of order 
and discipline in the little community of which he is a mem- 
ber—exhibits a remarkable degree of nicety and fastidious- 
ness about his food—is comparatively free from vulgar, low, 
and groveling habits—entices his pursuer into the loveliest 
scenes of Nature’s domains—calls forth from man his utmost 
ingenuity and skill—and, in a word, in every stage of his ex- 
istence preserves a dignified demeanor, unattainable by any 
other living occupant of the streams. 
“While these may be styled his social and intellectual 
qualities, his physical constitution is equally entitled to our 
respectful consideration. He discloses a prepossessing and 
fascinating figure, moulded in strict conformity with most 
refined principles of symmetrical proportion, sparkles in all 
the gorgeous colors of the rainbow, and occupies a distin- 
guished position in the important science of gastronomy.” 
Reasons which combine to establish so high an estimate in 
the regard of anglers are connected with the idea that the 
amber beauty is gifted with mdénd, for in every thing which 
claims human attention, mind, real or imaginary, in the object 
is necessary to attract our serious notice and to secure our 
lasting esteem. 
Once nearly every stream in the Middle, Northern, and 
Eastern States teemed with both trout and salmon. The 
salmon have been driven away, and, had not anglers inter- 
fered to save the trout, the luxury would now only be known 
from books and the stories of the oldest inhabitants. As it 
