The Charms of Angling. 146 



Modern improvements . in anglers' implements, and recent 

 inventions in lures to captivate by trolling, have rendered 

 the angler of to-day very different from the ancient dreamy 

 fishing philosopher.- Especially is the difference from the 

 ancient angler — as portrayed by good Izaak Walton — ob- 

 servable in the United States of America, where an angler is 

 expected to scull a boat with alacrity and pull an oar grace- 

 fully, to sail a boat and man a pair 8f trolling-lines, to brave 

 the ocean's dashing surf and spray, and, clad in sailor's garb 

 of water-proof material, stand on the rocks of the shore and 

 cast menhaden bait for striped bass, and play large fish from 

 a stand where the dashing waves threaten continually to 

 wash him off. • 



The art of angling has become so rich in variety of imple- 

 ments, so varied in scenes, so replete with all the elements 

 for exercise — as well for the student as for the man of action 

 — as to render it a recreation entirely satisfactory to its dis- 

 ciples, who believe that , 



"All pleasures but the angler's bring 

 I' th' tail repentance like a sting." ' 



Men of cultivation and natural gentleness of disposition 

 have frequently been known to indulge in the chase, and fol- 

 low a well-trained dog with pleasure, though they are often 

 known to forego these for angling; but there was never a 

 true angler known to exchange his gentle wand, his quiet 

 rambles among the most charming haunts of nature, for any 

 other means of recreation. 



" Bear lightly on their foreheads, Time ! 

 Strew roses on their way ; 

 The young in heart, however old, 

 That prize the present day. 



" I love to see a man forget 



His blood is growing cold, 

 And leap, or swim, or gather flowers, 



Oblivious of his gold. 

 And mix with children in their sport, 

 Nor think that he is old. 

 K 



