TROUT AND ANGLING. 345 



erated in quality, the waters are poisoned, and the 

 legitimate current of the rivers, like the present 

 course of politics, is forced into new and untried 

 channels ; so that in the anguish of our hearts, 

 adopting a distich to the teeming times, and blend- 

 ing the patriot's apprehension with the angler's re- 

 gret, the thought occurs to us that 



"Nullification is vexation, 

 Division is as bad — " 



For such is the creed of him who is both a lover 

 of his country and its enjoyments. But if fortu- 

 nately chance should have directed his thoughts 

 and steps to a more favored scene — 



Where purple violets lurk 



With all the lowly children of the shade — " 



there, having passed a day of temperate pleasure, 

 far from the world of strife, having tried conclu- 

 sions with none but the companion of his toil, or 

 the victims of his skill, he lingers till " the evening 

 shades prevail," then homeward-bound returns, 

 his basket heavy as his heart is light. 



By the influence of a distinguished individual 

 who occasionally indulges in angling, as a relief 

 from the cares of an arduous profession and a pub- 

 lic life, an act of the Legislature of Massachusetts 



