’……Andthoughitismostcertainthattwolutes，beingbothstrungandtunedtoanequalpitch，andthenoneplayedupon，theother，thatisnottouched，beinglaiduponatableatafitdistance，will（likeanechotoatrumpet）warbleafaintaudibleharmonyinanswertothesametune；yetmanywillnotbelievethereisanysuchthingasasympathyofsouls，andIamwellpleasedthateveryreaderdoenjoyhisownopinion……’
Hethenappealstoauthority，asofBrutus，St。Monica，Saul，St。Peter：—
’Moreobservationsofthisnature，andinferencesfromthem，mightbemadetogaintherelationafirmerbelief；butI
forbear：lestI，thatintendedtobebutarelator，maybethoughttobeanengagedpersonfortheprovingwhatwasrelatedtome，……byonewhohaditfromDr。Donne。’
WalpolewasnoBoswell；worthyBoswellwouldhavecross—
examinedDr。Donnehimself。
Ofdreamshewrites：—
’Commondreamsarebutasenselessparaphraseonourwakingthoughts，orofthebusinessofthedaypast，oraretheresultofouroverengagedaffectionswhenwebetakeourselvestorest。’……Yet’AlmightyGod（thoughthecausesofdreamsbeoftenunknown）hathevenintheselattertimesalso，byacertainilluminationofthesoulinsleep，discoveredmanythingsthathumanwisdomcouldnotforesee。’
Waltonisoftenchargedwithsuperstition，andtheenlightenededitoroftheeighteenthcenturyexcisedallthesceneofMrs。
Donne’swraithastooabsurd。ButWaltonisaveryfairwitness。Donne，amanofimagination，was，hetellsus，inaperturbedanxietyaboutMrs。Donne。Theeventwasafterdinner。Thestoryis，byWalton’sadmission，atsecondhand。
Thus，inthelanguageofthelearnedinsuchmatters，thetaleis’notevidential。’Waltonexplainsit，iftrue，asaresultof’sympathyofsouls’——whatisnowcalledtelepathy。Butheiscontentthateverymanshouldhavehisownopinion。InthesamewayhewritesoftheseersintheWottonfamily：’Goddidseemtospeaktomanyofthisfamily’（theWottons）’indreams，’andThomasWotton’sdreams’didusuallyprovetrue，bothinforetellingthingstocome，anddiscoveringthingspast。’ThushedreamedthatfivetownsmenandpoorscholarswererobbingtheUniversitychestatOxford。HementionedthisinalettertohissonatOxford，andtheletter，arrivingjustaftertherobbery，ledtothediscoveryoftheculprits。YetWaltonstatesthecausesandnatureofdreamsingeneralwithperfectsobrietyandclearness。HistalesofthissortweremuchtoJohnson’smind，astoSouthey’s。ButWaltoncannotfairlybecalled’superstitious，’grantingtheageinwhichhelived。VisionslikeDr。Donne’sstillexcitecuriouscomment。
Tothatcruelsuperstitionofhisage，witchcraft，IthinkthereisnoallusioninWalton。Almostasuncanny，however，ishisaccountofDonne’spreparationfordeath’Severalcharcoalfiresbeingfirstmadeinhislargestudy，hebroughtwithhimintothatplacehiswinding—sheetinhishand，andhavingputoffallhisclothes，hadthissheetputonhim，andsotiedwithknotsathisheadandfeet，andhishandssoplacedasdeadbodiesareusuallyfitted，tobeshroudedandputintotheircoffinorgrave。Uponthisurnhethusstood，withhiseyesshut，andwithsomuchofthesheetturnedasideasmightshowhislean，pale，anddeath—likeface，whichwaspurposelyturnedtowardstheeast，fromwhichheexpectedthesecondcomingofhisandourSaviourJesus。
Inthisposturehewasdrawnathisjustheight，and，whenthepicturewasfullyfinished，hecausedittobesetbyhisbedside，whereitcontinued，andbecamehishourlyobjecttilldeath。’
ThusDonnemadereadytomeetthecommonfate：—
’Thatbody，whichoncewasatempleoftheHolyGhost，isnowbecomeasmallquantityofChristianashes。ButIshallseeitreanimated。’
ThisistheveryvoiceofFaith。Waltonwas，indeed，anassuredbeliever，andtohismind，theworldofferednoinsolubleproblem。Butwemaysayofhim，inthewordsofapoetwhomhequotes：—
’ManyaoneOwestohiscountryhisreligion；
AndinanotherwouldasstronglygrowHadbuthisnurseormothertaughthimso。’
InhisaccountofDonne’searlytheologicalstudiesofthedifferencesbetweenRomeandAnglicanism，itismanifestthatIzaakthinksthesedifferencesmattersofnogreatmoment。
Theyarenotforsimplementosolve：Donnehastakenthattroubleforhim；besides，heisanEnglishman，and’Owestohiscountryhisreligion。’
HewillbenoCovenanter，andwriteswithdisgustofanintrudedScotsminister，whosefirstactionwastocutdowntheancientyewsinthechurchyard。Izaak’sreligion，andallhislife，wererootedinthepast，liketheyew—tree。Heiswhathecalls’thepassivepeaceableProtestant。’’Thecommonpeopleinthisnation，’hewrites，’thinktheyarenotwiseunlesstheybebusyaboutwhattheyunderstandnot，andespeciallyaboutreligion’；asBunyanwasbusyatthatverymoment。InWalton’sopinion，theplainfactsofreligion，andofconsequentmorality，arevisibleasthesunatnoonday。
Thevexedquestionsareforthelearned，andaresolvedvariouslybythem。Amanmustfollowauthority，ashefindsitestablishedinhisowncountry，unlesshehasthelearningandgeniusofaDonne。Tothese，orequivalentsfortheseinaspecialprivyinspiration，’thecommonpeople’ofhisday，andeversinceElizabeth’sday，werepretending。ThiswastheinevitableresultofthetranslationoftheBibleintoEnglish。WaltonquoteswithapprovalaremarkofawittyItalianonapopulacewhichwasuniversallyoccupiedwithFree—willandPredestination。ThefruitsWaltonsaw，inpreachingCorporals，AntinomianTrustyTompkinses，Quakerswhoranaboutnaked，barking，Presbyterianswhocutdownoldyew—
trees，andaParliamentofSaints。Waltontooknokindofjoyinthegeneralemancipationofthehumanspirit。Theclergy，heconfessed，werenotwhathewishedthemtobe，buttheywerebetterthanQuakers，nakedandululant。ToloveGodandhisneighbour，andtohonourtheking，wasWalton’sunperplexedreligion。HappilyhewassavedfromtheviewoftheerrorsandthefallofJamesII。，akingwhomitwasnoteasytohonour。Hissocialphilosophywasoneofestablishedrank，temperedbyequityandChristiancharity。Ifanythingmoveshistranquilspirit，itistheremorselessgreedofhimwhotakeshisfellow—servantbythethroatandexactstheuttermostpenny。HowSandersonsavedapoorfarmerfromthegreedofanextortionatelandlord，WaltontellsinhisLifeoftheprelate，addingthisreflection：—
’ItmaybenotedthatinthisagethereareasortofpeoplesounliketheGodofmercy，sovoidofthebowelsofpity，thattheyloveonlythemselvesandtheirchildren；lovethemsoasnottobeconcernedwhethertherestofmankindwastetheirdaysinsorroworshame；peoplethatarecursedwithriches，andamistakethatnothingbutrichescanmakethemandtheirshappy。’
ThusWaltonappears，thisis’thepictureofhisowndisposition，’intheLives。HeisakindofantithesistoJohnKnox。MenlikeWaltonarenottobeapproachedfornew’ideas。’Theywillnevermakeanewworldatablow：theywillneverenableustounderstand，buttheycanteachustoendure，andeventoenjoy，theworld。Theirexampleisalluring：—
’EventheashesofthejustSmellsweet，andblossominthedust。’
THECOMPLEATANGLER
Franck，aswesaw，calledWalton’aplagiary。’HewasaplagiaryinthesamesenseasVirgilandLordTennysonandRobertBurns，and，indeed，Homer，andallpoets。TheCompleatAngler，thefatherofsomanybooks，isthechildofafew。
Waltonnotonlyadoptstheopinionsandadviceoftheauthorswhomhecites，butalsofollowsthemanner，toacertainextent，ofauthorswhomhedoesnotquote。Hisveryexordium，hiskey—note，echoes（asSirHarrisNicolasobserves）theopeningofATreatiseoftheNatureofGod（London，1599）。
TheTreatisestartswithaconversationbetweenagentlemanandascholar：itcommences：—
Gent。Wellovertaken，sir！
Scholar。Youarewelcome，gentleman。
AmoreimportantsourceisTheTreatyseofFysshyngewythanAngle，commonlyattributedtoDameJulianaBarnes（printedatWestminster，1496）。Amanuscript，probablyof1430—1450，hasbeenpublishedbyMr。Satchell（London，1883）。ThisbookmaybeatranslationofanunknownFrenchoriginal。Itopens：—
’Solomaninhysparabolesseiththatagladspiritmaketaflowryngage。Thatystosey，afeyreageandalonge’（likeWalton’sown），’andsithhytyssoIaskethisquestion，wychebynnethemenysandcausetoreduceamantoameryspryte。’
Theangler’schallhavehysholsomwalkeandmeryathysowneease，andalsomanyasweyteayrofdiverserbisandflowresthatschallmakehymryghthongreandwelldisposedinhysbody。Heschallheyrthemelodiesmelodiousoftheermonyofbyrde：heschallsealsotheyongswannesandsignetesfolowingthereyrours，duckes，cootes，herons，andmanyotherfowlyswiththerbrodys，wychemesemytbetterthenallthenoyseofhoundes，andblastesofhornesandothergamysthatfawknersorhunterscanmake，andyftheanglertakethefyssche，hardlythenysthernomanmeryerthenheinhissprites。’
Thisisthevery’sprite’ofWalton；thishasthatvernalandmatutinalairofopeningEuropeanliterature，fullofbirds’
music，andredolentofdawn。ThisisthenotetowhichtheagefollowingWaltonwouldnotlisten。
Inmatteroffact，again，IzaakfollowstheancientTreatise。
Weknowhisjuryoftwelveflies：theTreatisesays：—
’Thesebenthexijflyeswythwhycheyeshallangletothetroughtandgraylling，anddubbelikeasyeshallnowheremetell。
’Marche。Thedonnefly，thebodyofthedonnewoll，andthewyngisofthepertryche。Anotherdonneflye，thebodyofblackewoll，thewyngisoftheblackystdrake；andthelayunderthewyngeandunderthetayle。’
Waltonhas：—
’ThefirstisthedunflyinMarch：thebodyismadeofdunwool，thewingsofthepartridge’sfeathers。Thesecondisanotherdunfly：thebodyofblackwool；andthewingsmadeoftheblackdrake’sfeathers，andofthefeathersunderhistail。’
Again，theTreatisehas：—
Auguste。Thedrakefly。Thebodyofblackwullandlappydabowtewythblackesylke：wingesofthemayleoftheblackedrakewythablackeheed。’
Waltonhas：—
’Thetwelfthisthedarkdrake—fly，goodinAugust：thebodymadewithblackwool，laptaboutwithblacksilk，hiswingsaremadewiththemailoftheblackdrake，withablackhead。’
ThisiswordforwordatranscriptofthefifteenthcenturyTreatise。ButIzaakcites，nottheancientTreatise，butMr。
ThomasBarker。{6}Barker，infact，givesmanymore，andmorevariegatedfliesthanIzaakoffersinthejuryoftwelvewhichherendered，fromtheoldTreatise，intomodernEnglish。SirHarrisNicolassaysthatthejuryisfromLeonardMascall’sBookeofFishingwithHookeandLine（London，1609），butMascallmerelystolefromthefifteenth—centurybook。InCotton’spractice，andthatofTheAngler’sVadeMecum（1681），flieswereasnumerousasamongourselves，andhad，inmanycases，thesamenames。Waltonabsurdlybidsus’letnopartofthelinetouchthewater，buttheflyonly。’Barkersays，’Lettheflylightfirstintothewater。’Bothmeninsistonfishingdownstream，whichis，ofcourse，theoppositeofthetrueart，forfishliewiththeirheadsupstream，andtroutarebestapproachedfrombehind。Cottonadmitsoffishingbothupanddown，asthewindandstreammayserve：and，ofcourse，inheavywater，inScotland，thisisallverywell。
Butnoneoftheoldanglers，tomyknowledge，wasadry—flyfisher，andIzaakwasnofly—fisheratall。HetookwhathesaidfromMascall，whotookitfromtheoldTreatise，inwhich，itisprobable，Waltonread，andfollowedthepleasantandtohimcongenialspiritofthemediaevalangler。Allthesewriterstooledwithhugerods，fifteenoreighteenfeetinlength，andIzaakhadapparentlyneverusedareel。Forsalmon，hesays，’someuseawheelaboutthemiddleoftheirrodsorneartheirhand，whichistobeobservedbetterbyseeingoneofthem，thanbyalargedemonstrationofwords。’
Mr。WestwoodhasmadeacatalogueofbookscitedbyWaltoninhisCompleatAngler。ThereisAElian（whomakesthefirstknownreferencetofly—fishing）；Aldrovandus，DePiscibus（1638）；Dubravius，DePiscibus（1559）；andtheEnglishtranslation（1599）Gerard’sHerball（1633）；Gesner，DePiscibus（s。a。）andHistoriaNaturalis（1558）；Phil。Holland’sPliny（1601）；Rondelet，DePiscibusMarines（1554）；SilvianusAquatiliumHistoriae（1554）：thesenearlyexhaustWalton’ssupplyofauthoritiesinnaturalhistory。Hewasdevoted，aswesaw，toauthority，andhadachildlikefaithinthefantastictheorieswhichdatefromPliny。’Plinyhathanopinionthatmanyflieshavetheirbirth，orbeing，fromadewthatinthespringfallsupontheleavesoftrees。’Itisapiousopinion！IzaakishardlysosuperstitiousastheauthorofTheAngler’sVadeMecum。Icannotimaginehimtaking’Man’sfatandcat’sfat，ofeachhalfanounce，mummyfinelypowdered，threedrains，’andanumberofotherabominations，to’makeanOyntmentaccordingtoArt，andwhenyouAngle，anoint8inchesofthelinenexttheHooktherewith。’Or，’TaketheBonesandScullofaDead—man，attheopeningofaGrave，andbeatthesameintoPouder，andputofthisPouderintheMosswhereinyoukeepyourWorms，——BUTOTHERSLIKE
GRAVEEARTHASWELL。’Nodoubtgraveearthisquiteasefficacious。
TheseremarksshowhowIzaakwasequippedinbooksandinpracticalinformation：itfollowsthathisbookistoberead，notforinstruction，butforhumanpleasure。
SomuchforwhatWaltonowedtoothers。Foralltherest，forwhathasmadehimthefavouriteofschoolboysandsages，ofpoetsandphilosophers，heisindebtedtononebuthisMakerandhisgenius。ThathewasaloverofMontaigneweknow；
and，hadMontaignebeenafisher，hemighthavewrittensomewhatlikeIzaak，butwithoutthepiety，theperfume，andthecharm。Thereareauthorswhoselivingvoices，ifweknowthemintheflesh，weseemtohearinourearsasweperusetheirworks。OfsuchwasMr。Jowett，sometimeMasterofBalliolCollege，agoodman，nowwithGod。IthaseverseemedtomethatfriendsofWaltonmustthushaveheardhisvoiceastheyreadhim，andthatitreachesustoo，thoughfaintly。
Indeed，wehavehere’akindofpictureofhisowndisposition，’ashetellsusPiscatoristheWaltonwhomhonestNat。andR。RoeandSirHenryWottonknewonfishing—
days。Thebookisasetofconfessions，withouttheircommonlymorbidturn。’Iwritenotformoney，butforpleasure，’hesays；methinkshedrovenohardbargainwithgoodRichardMarriott，norwascarefulandtroubledaboutroyaltiesonhiseighteenpennybook。Heregardsscoffersas’anabominationtomankind，’forindeedevenDr。Johnson，who，acenturylater，setMosesBrowneonreprintingTheCompleatAngler，brokehisjestonoursufferingtribe。’Manygrave，seriousmenpityanglers，’saysAuceps，andVenatorstylesthem’patientmen，’assurelytheyhavegreatneedtobe。Forourtoil，likethatofthehusbandman，hangsontheweatherthatHeavensends，andonthefliesthathavetheirbirthorbeingfromakindofdew，andontheinscrutablecapriceoffish；also，inEngland，onthemiller，whogivethorwithholdethathispleasuretheverywaterthatisourelement。Theinquiringrusticwhoshamblesuperectwhenwearelyinglowamongthereeds，evenhedisposesofourfortunes，withwhom，aswithallmen，wemustbepatient，dwellingever—
’Withclose—lippedPatienceforouronlyfriend，SadPatience，toonearneighbourofDespair。’
Othetangles，morethanGordian，ofgutonawindyday！O
bittereastwindthatblowethdownstream！Otheyoungducksthat，swimmingbetweenusandthetrout，contendwithhimforthebluedunsintheirseason！Othehaygrassbehindusthatentanglesthehook！Otherockywallthatbreaksit，theboughsthatcatchit；thedroughtthatleavesthesalmon—
streamdry，thefloodsthatfillitwithturbid，impossiblewaters！Alasfortheknotthatbreaks，andfortheironthatbends；forthelostlanding—net，andthegilliewiththegaffthatscrapesthefish！Izaakbelievedthatfishcouldhear；
iftheycan，theirvocabularymustbefullofstrangeoaths，forallanglersarenotpatientmen。Amalisononthetroutthat’bulge’and’tail，’onthesalmonthat’jiggers，’orsulks，orlightlygambolsoverandundertheline。Thesethings，andmanymore，weanglersenduremeekly，beingpatientmen，andalightworldfleersatusforourveryvirtue。
Izaak，ofcourse，justifiesusbytheexampleoftheprimitiveChristians，and，inthemanneroftheage，drownsoppositioninafloodoferudition，outofplace，butneverpedantic；
futile，yetdiverting；erroneous，butnotdull。
’Godissaidtohavespokentoafish，butnevertoabeast。’
ThereisamodernGreekphrase，’BythefirstwordofGod，andthesecondofthefish。’Asforangling，’itissomewhatlikepoetry：menaretobebornso’；andmanyareborntobebothrhymersandanglers。But，unlikemanypoets，theanglerresembles’theAdonis，orDarlingoftheSea，socalledbecauseitisalovingandinnocentfish，’andapeaceful；
’andtruly，Ithinkmostanglersaresodisposedtomostofmankind。’
OurSaviour’speculiaraffectionforfishermenis，ofcourse，apowerfulargument。AnditiscertainthatPeter，James，andJohnmadeconvertsamongthetwelve，for’thegreaternumberofthemwerefoundtogether，fishing，byJesusafterHisResurrection。’ThatAmoswas’agood—natured，plainfisherman，’onlyWaltonhadfaithenoughtobelieve。HefixesgladlyonmentionsofhooksintheBible，omittingHomer，andthatexcellentTheocriteandialogueofthetwooldanglersandthefishofgold，whichwouldhavedelightedIzaak，hadheknownit；buthewasnogreatscholar。’AndletmetellyouthatintheScripture，anglingisalwaystakeninthebestsense，’thoughIzaakdoesnotdwellonTobias’senormouscapture。SoheendswithcommendationsofanglingbyWotton，andDavors（Dennys，moreprobably）authorofTheSecretsofAngling（1613）。TothesewemayaddWordsworth，Thomson，Scott，Hogg，Stoddart，andmanyminorpoetswholovedthemusicofthereel。
Izaaknextillustrateshisideaofbecomingmirth，whichexcludes’Scripturejestsandlasciviousjests，’bothofthemhighlydistastefultoanglers。Thenhecomestopractice，beginningwithchub，forwhichIhaveneverangled，buthavetakenthembymisadventure，withasalmonfly。Thenceweproceedtotrout，andtothecharmingsceneofthemilkmaidandhersongsbyRaleighandMarlowe，’Ithinkmuchbetterthanthestronglinesthatarenowinfashioninthiscriticalage，’forWalton，wehavesaid，wasthelastoftheElizabethansandthenewtimeswereallforWallerandDryden。
’ChevyChace’and’JohnnyArmstrong’weredeartoWaltonastoScott，butthroughacenturytheseoldfavouritesweretobeneglected，savebyMr。PepysandAddison。Indeed，thereisnomorecuriousproofofthegreatunhappychangethencomingtomakepoetryamechanicart，thanthecircumstancethatWaltonismuchnearertous，inhislikings，thantothemenbetween1670and1770。Gaywastosingofangling，butin’thestronglinesthatarenowinfashion。’AllthiswhilePiscatorhasbeenanglingwithwormandminnowtonopurpose，thoughhepicksup’atroutwillfillsixreasonablebellies’intheevening。Soweleavethem，aftertheirale，infreshsheetsthatsmelloflavender。’Izaak’spracticaladviceisnotofmuchworth；wereadhimratherforsentenceslikethis：’I’lltellyou，scholar：whenIsatlastonthisprimrosebank，andlookeddownthesemeadows，IthoughtofthemasCharlestheEmperordidofthecityofFlorence，"thattheyweretoopleasanttobelookedupon，butonlyonholy—days。"’Hedidnotsay，likeFox，whenBurkespokeof’aseatunderatree，withafriend，abottle，andabook，’’Whyabook？’Izaaktookhisbookwithhim——apracticeinwhich，atleast，Iamfaintoimitatethisexcellentoldman。
Astosalmon，Waltonscarcelyspeaksatruewordabouttheirhabits，exceptbyaccident。Concerningpike，hequotesthetheorythattheyarebredbypickerelweed，onlyaswhat’somethink。’Indescribingtheuseoffrogsasbait，hemakesthefamous，orinfamous，remark，’Usehimasthoughyoulovedhim……thathemaylivethelonger。’Abait—fisherMAYbeagoodman，asIzaakwas，butitiseasierforacameltopassthroughtheeyeofaneedle。Ascoarsefishareusuallycaughtonlywithbait，IshallnotfollowIzaakontothisunholyandunfamiliarground，wherein，nonetheless，growflowersofWalton’sfancy，andthesongsoftheoldpoetsareheard。ThePracticalAngler，indeed，isabooktobemarkedwithflowers，marshmarigoldsandfritillaries，andpetalsoftheyellowiris，forthewholeprovokesustocontent，andwhispersthatwordoftheapostle，’Studytobequiet。’
FISHINGTHENANDNOW
SinceMaui，theMaorihero，inventedbarbsforhooks，anglinghasbeenessentiallyoneandthesamething。SouthSeaislandersspinforfishwithamother—of—pearllurewhichisalsoahook，andanswerstoourspoon。Wehavehooksofstone，andhooksofbone；andabronzehook，foundinIreland，hasthefamiliarLimerickbend。WhatHomermeantbymakinganglersthrow’thehornofanoxofthestall’intothesea，wecanonlyguess；perhapsahornminnowismeant，oralittlesheathofhorntoprotecttheline。Deadbait，livebait，andimitationsofbaithaveallbeenemployed，andAElianmentionsartificialMayfliesused，withaveryshortline，bytheIllyrians。
But，whilethesameinessence，anglinghasbeenimprovedbyhumaningenuity。TheWaltonianangler，andstillmorehisEnglishpredecessors，dealtmuchinthehome—made。TheTreatiseofthefifteenthcenturybidsyoumakeyour’Rodde’
ofafairstaffevenofasixfootlongormore，asyelist，ofhazel，willow，or’aspe’（ash？），and’bekehyminanovynwhenyebake，andlethimcoolanddryafourweeksormore。’
Thepithistakenoutofhimwithahotiron，andayardofwhitehazelissimilarlytreated，alsoafairshootofblackthornorcrabtreeforatop。Thebuttisboundwithhoopsofiron，thetopisaccommodatedwithanoose，ahairlineisloopedinthenoose，andtheanglerisequipped。
Splicingisnotused，butthejointshaveholestoreceiveeachother，andwiththisinstrument’yemaywalk，andthereisnomanshallwitwhereaboutyego。’Recipesaregivenforcolouringandplaitinghairlines，anddirectionsforforginghooks。’Thesmallestquarellneedles’areusedforthetiniesthooks。
Barker（1651）makestherod’ofahaselofonepiece，oroftwopiecessettogetherinthemostconvenientmanner，lightandgentle。’Herecommendstheuseofasinglehairnextthefly，——’youshallhavemorerises，’whichistrue，’andkillmorefish，’whichisnotsolikely。Themostdelicatestrikingisrequiredwithfinegut，andwithasinglehairtheremustbemanybreakages。Forsalmon，Barkerusesarodtenfeetinthebutt，’thatwillcarryatopofsixfootprettystiffeandstrong。’The’winder，’orreel，Barkerillustrateswithatotallyunintelligibledesign。Hissalmonfly’carriessixwings’；perhapsheonlymeanswingscomposedofsixkindsoffeathers，buthereFranckisabetterauthority，hisfliesbeingsensibleandsoberincolour。Notmanyoldsalmonfliesareinexistence，norhaveIseenmoreancientspecimensthanafew，chieflyofpeacocks’feathers，inthefly—leafofabookatAbbotsford；theywereusedinIrelandbySirWalterScott’seldestson。Thecontroversyastowhetherfishcandistinguishcolourswasunknowntoourancestors。Iaminclinedtobelievethat，forsalmon，size，andperhapsshade，lightordark，withmoreorlessoftinsel，aretheonlyimportantpoints。IzaakstumbledontheideaofMr。Stewart（authorofThePracticalAngler）saying，’forthegenerality，threeorfourflies，neat，andrightlymade，andnottoobig，serveforatroutinmostrivers，allthesummer。’Ourancestors，thoughtheydidnotfishwiththedryfly，wereintentonimitatingtheinsectonthewater。Asfarasmyownexperiencegoes，iftroutarefeedingonduns，onedunwilltakethemaswellasanother，ifitbeproperlypresented。ButmyfriendMr。CharlesLongmantellsmethat，afterfailingwithtwotrout，heexaminedtheflyonthewater，anolivedun，andfoundinhisbookaflywhichexactlymatchedthenaturalinsectincolour。Withthishecapturedhisbrace。
Suchincidentslookasiftroutwereparticulartoashade，butwecanneverbecertainthattheanglerdidnotmakeanespeciallyartfulanddelicatecastwhenhesucceeded。SirHerbertMaxwellintendstomaketheexperimentofusingdunsofimpossibleandunnaturalcolours；ifhesucceedswiththese，onseveraloccasions，aswellaswithorthodoxflies，perhapswemaydecidethattroutdonotdistinguishhues。OnaSutherlandloch，ananglerfoundthattroutwouldtakefliesofanycolour，exceptthatofalight—greenleafofatree。
ThisrejectiondecidedlylookedasifevenSutherlandlochtroutexercisedsomediscrimination。Often，onaloch，outofthreefliestheywillfavourone，andthat，perhaps，notthetrailfly。Thebestruleis：whenyoufindafavouriteflyonasalmonriver，useit：itsspecialfavouritismmaybeasuperstition，but，atallevents，salmondotakeit。Wecannotaffordtobealwaysmakingexperiments，butMr。HerbertSpencer，buskinghisfliesthereverseway，usedcertainlytobeatleastassuccessfulwithseatroutashislessspeculativeneighboursinArgyllshire。
Inmakingrods，Waltonismostconcernedwithpaintingthem；
’Ithinkagoodtopisworthpreserving，orIhadnottakencaretokeepatopabovetwentyyears。’Cottonprefersrods’madeinYorkshire，’havingadvancedfromthehome—madestage。
Hiswerespliced，andkeptupallthroughtheseason，ashehadhiswaterathisowndoor，whileWaltontrudgedtotheLeeandotherstreamsnearLondon，whenhewasnotfishingtheItchen，orShawfordBrook。TheAngler’sVadeMecumrecommendseighteen—feetrods：preferringafirbutt，fashionedbythearrow—maker，ahazeltop，andatipofwhalebone。Thisauthority，evenmorethanWalton，dealsinmysterious’Oyntments’ofgumivy，horse—leek，asafoetida，man’sfat，cat’sfat，powderedskulls，andgraveearth。AghoulishbodyistheangleroftheVadeMecum。Herecommendsup—streamfishing，withworm，inaclearwater，andsoisapredecessorofMr。Stewart。’Whenyouhavehookedagoodfish，haveanespecialcaretokeeptherodbent，lestheruntotheendoftheline’（hemeans，asdoesWalton，lesthepulltherodhorizontal）’andbreakeitherhookorhold。’Anoldownerofmycopyadds，inmanuscript，’Andhalehimnottonearyetopofthewater，lestinflaskeringhebreakyeline。’
Thisisafavouritedeviceofseatrout，whichareveryaptto’flasker’onthetopofthewater。TheVadeMecum，inadvanceofWaltononthispoint，recommendsaswivelinminnow—
fishing：buthasnoideaofanartificialminnowofsilk。I
haveknownaningeniousladywho，whenthebodiesofherphantomminnowsgaveout，inNorway，suppliedtheirplacesuccessfullywithbed—quiltingartfullysewn。Infact，anythingbrightandspinningwillallurefish，thoughintheupperEttrick，wherelargetroutexist，theywilltakethenatural，butperhapsneverthephantomorangelminnow。I
oncetriedaspinningAlexandraflyoversomelargepondtrout。Theyfollowediteagerly，butnevertookhold，onthefirstday；afterwardstheywouldnotlookatitatall。TheVadeMecumman，likeDr。Hamilton，recommendsalightflyforalightday，adarkflyforadarkdayanddarkweather；
othersholdtheconverseopinion。Everyoneagreesthatthesmallnessofthefliesshouldbeinproportiontothelownessofthewaterandtheadvanceofsummer。{7}
Ourancestors，apparently，usedonlyoneflyatatime；inrapidrivers，withwetfly，two，three，or，inlochslikeLochLeven，evenfourareemployed。Tomymindmorethantwoonlycauseentanglementsofthetackle。TheoldEnglishanglersknew，ofcourse，littleornothingoflochfishing，usingbaitinlakes。Thegreatlengthoftheirrodsmadereelslessnecessary，andtheydonotseemtohavewadedmuch。Amodernangler，castingupwards，fromthemiddleofthestream，withanine—footrod，wouldhaveastonishedWalton。Theydealtwithtroutlesseducatedthanours，andtooledwithmuchcoarserandheavierimplements。Theyhadnofinescruplesaboutbaitofeverykind，anymorethantheScotshave，andBarkerlovedalob—worm，fishedonthesurface，inadarknight。Hewasapot—fisher，andhadbeenacook。Hecouldcatchahugebasketoftrout，anddresstheminmanydifferentways，——broyled，calvoredhotwithantchovaessauce，boyled，soused，stewed，fried，batteredwitheggs，roasted，baked，calvoredcold，andmarilled，orpotted，alsomarrionated。BarkerinstructsmyLordMontaguetofishwithsalmonroe，athingprohibitedandverypopularinScotland。’IfIhadknownitbuttwentyyearsagoe，Iwouldhavegainedahundredpoundsonelywiththatbait。IamboundindutytodivulgeittoyourHonour，andnottocarryittomygravewithme。Idodesirethatmenofqualityshouldhaveitthatdelightinthatpleasure：thegreedyanglerwillmurmuratme，butforthatIcarenot。’
Barkercallssalmonroe’anexperienceIhavefoundoflate：
thebestbaitforatroutthatIhaveseeninallmytime，’
anditisthemostdeadly，intheeddyofaturbidwater。
Perhapstroutwouldtakecaviare，whichisnotforbiddenbythelawoftheland。Anyunscrupulouspersonmaymaketheexperiment，andarguethematteroutwiththewater—bailie。
But，inmycountry，itismoreusualtoduckthatofficial，andgoonnetting，sniggling，salmon—roeing，anddestroyingsportinthesacrednameofLiberty。
Scotswhafishwi’salmonroe，Scotswhasniggleasyego，WullyestandtheBailie？No！
Letthelimmerdie！
Now’sthedayandnow’sthetime，Poisona’theburnswi’lime，Fishingfair’sadastardcrime，We’reforfishingFREE！
’Ydlepersonessholdehavebutlyttylmesureinthesayddisporteoffysshyng，’saysouroldTreatise，butinsouthernScotlandtheyhaveleftfewfishtodysportewith，andthetroutisliketobecomeanextinctanimal。IzaakwouldespeciallyhavedislikedFishingCompetitions，which，bydintofthemultitudeofanglers，turnthecontemplativeman’srecreationintoacrowdedskirmish；andwewouldrepeathisremark，’therabbleherdthemselvestogether’（adozeninonepool，often），’andendeavourtogovernandactinspiteofauthority。’
Formypart，hadIariver，Iwouldgladlyletallhonestanglersthatusetheflycastlineinit，but，wherethereisnoprotection，thennets，poison，dynamite，slaughteroffingerlings，andunholybaitsdevastatethefish，sothat’FreeFishing’spellsnofishingatall。Thispressesmosthardlyontheartisanwhofishesfair，amemberofalargeclasswithwhosepastimeonlyachurlwouldwishtointerfere。
Wearenowcompelled，ifwewouldcatchfish，toseekTarponinFlorida，MahseerinIndia：itdoesnotsufficeto’stretchourlegsupTottenhamHill。’
Footnotes：
{1}TheMS。wasnoticedinTheFreebooter，Oct。18，1823，butSirHarrisNicolascouldnotfindit，whereitwassaidtobe，amongtheLansdowneMSS。
{2}Thequipabout’goodsandchattels’wasrevivedlater，inthecaseofaroyalmistress。
{3}SirWalterwasfondoftrout—fishing，andinhisQuarterlyreviewofDavy’sSalmonia，describeshispleasureinwadingTweed，in’TomFool’slight’attheendofahotsummerday。Insalmon—fishinghewasnoexpert，andsaidtoLockhartthathemusthaveTomPurdietoaidhiminhisreviewofSalmonia。Thepicturesquenessofsalmon—spearingbytorchlightseducedScottfromthelegitimatesport。
{4}ThereisaneditionbySinger，withafrontispiecebyWainewright，thepoisoner。London，1820。
{5}Nicolas，I。clv。
{6}Barker’sDelight；or，TheArtofAngling。1651，1657，1659，London。
{7}IhaveexaminedalltheAnglingworksoftheperiodknowntome。Gilbert’sAngler’sDelight（1676）isamerepamphlet；
WilliamGilbert，gent。，pilfersfromWalton，withoutnaminghim，andhasliterallynothingoriginalormeritorious。Thebookisveryscarce。Myowncopyis’uncut，’butincomplete，lackingthedirectionsforfishing’inHackneyRiver。’
GervaseMarkham，priortoWalton，isacompilerratherthananoriginalauthorityonangling。