FISHING AS A SPORT. 85 



Englishmen will bet on everything " bettable," such as 

 the settling of flies on lumps of sugar, commonly known 

 as " Ply Loo ;" the trickling of heavy raindrops down a 

 window pane, and the racing powers of gentles on a 

 mahogany table. 



But to return for a moment to our London anglers. I 

 think it a matter for congratulation that so many hun- 

 dreds of genuine working men, from the shop-tied mas- 

 ters and men down to the literally " horny-handed sons 

 of toil," take such intense pleasure in the innocent and 

 healthful recreation of angling; and I am glad that the 

 Railway Companies, by the issue, of " Angling tickets," 

 at reduced fares (under the management of the Central 

 Committee of Anglers), grant facilities of sport to those 

 to whom the saving of a shilling is an object. I most 

 cordially sympathize with the sentiment of the angler's 

 song, called the Invitation, which thus runs : — 



" Oh, while fishing lasts enjoy it, 



Let us to the streams repair ; 

 Snatch some hours from toil and study, 



Nature's hlessed gifts to share. 

 Ye who stand behind the counter, 



Or groan pallid at the loom, 

 Leave the measure and the shuttle, 



To the rippling stream come, come ! 



" He that clothed their banks with verdure, 



Dotted them with various flowers ; 

 Meant that ye, though doom'd to labour, 



Should enjoy some cheering hours ; 

 Wipe your reeking brows, come with us 



With your basket and your rod ; 

 And with happy hearts look up from 



Nature unto Nature's God." 



I have a great respect for the London angler, though 



