TROUT AND ANGLING. 



399 



in all pursuits, yet more particularly observa- 

 ble in that of the contemplative angler; but 

 even a holier feeling often takes possession of his 

 thoughts ; and how can it be otherwise ? — Once 

 having felt, he never can " renounce the boundless 

 joys that nature to its votary yields." He is 

 cheered by the radiance of the rising sun ; he 

 breathes the balmy air of morning — soothed by 

 the humming stillness which prevails at noon ; the 

 feathered songsters greet his ear, mixed with 

 the brawling brook, " that down the distant rocks 

 hoarse-murmuring falls. " — He contemplates with 

 wonder all the secrets of the insect tribe ; he 

 hears, he feels, he sees that nothing is made in 

 vain ; he looks " from nature up to nature's God." 



