HIS INSTRUCTIONS TO ANGLERS.

117

that Walton had derived his knowledge of fishing from "antiquated authors and mouldy records." We chance to have a few of these "mouldy records" in our possession, on which we set no little store; and on looking into some of them, we are bound to admit that many of the hints given by Piscator to his "honest disciple," have been taken from these rare "treatyses of fysshynge." It is evident, that his own skill in the art consisted in watching his float, as it glided gently down one of the pretty streams he has so delightfully described; while his hints and instructions to Anglers were derived from those who had preceded him in piscatory lore. Indeed Walton appears to have copied from others with but little discrimination, and an evident ignorance of the art he professes to teach. This is apparent in several of the instructions given to his disciple, Venator; and it is evident, also, that his contemporary, Richard Franck, thought that they were compiled from authorities, which were anything but authentic. The very serious charge of cruelty brought against Walton is founded on the instructions he gives his scholar, for baiting a hook with a live frog, in which he tells him to "use him as though he loved him, that he may live the longer." In looking through some of our ancient Books on the Art of Angling, similar instructions may be found. In one of them a recommendation is given to attach the frog by a string to the leg of "a goose's foot," in order to "see good halynge whether the goose or the pyke shall have the

better." Another authority, speaking of the best bait for a Pike, says "but the yellow frog, of all frogs, brings him to hand, for that's his dainty and select diet, wherein nature has placed such magical charms, that all his powers can never resist them, if fastened on the hook with that exactness, that his life may shine, and the bait seem undeprived of natural motion."

That Walton copied implicitly from others, without practising what he recommends, is evident, as, if he were a fisherman at all, he was what is called in modern times a ground-bait Angler. Sir Henry Wotton, while he was himself employed in fly-fishing, apostrophized his companion thus:

There stood my friend with patient skill,
Attending to his trembling quill.

Independently of this, however, we may refer to the whole tenor of Walton's life and writings as sufficient to contradict the charge of cruelty, which has been brought against him. The age in which he lived was not one of very great refinement, and the custom of fishing for pike with a live frog was probably a very prevalent one at the time he wrote his "Complete Angler." The simplicity and innocence of our "good father's" character are, however, the best proofs, which can be brought forward of the kindness of his heart, and the tenderness of his disposition.

But, as has been remarked, it would appear, that the "gentle art of Angling" was only a secondary consideration with Walton, or rather a vehicle to introduce

THE COMPLETE ANGLER.'

119

his beautiful descriptions of the country, and to prove that pure religion proceeds from a meek, cheerful, and thankful spirit. Indeed, the charm of his book consists in his taste for the innocent pleasures of rural life, and in his fervent and unaffected piety. The contemplation of the works of Creation not only afforded to Walton, as it must to every good man, the certainty of a benevolent and superintending Providence, but it furnished him with an endless theme for praise and admiration.

It is a curious fact, that Walton had attained his sixtieth year before he published his "Complete Angler," although it is written with all the freshness and vivacity of youth. Sir Harris Nicolas has well remarked that, "whether considered as a treatise upon the Art of Angling, or a beautiful Pastoral, abounding in exquisite scenery, in sentiments of the purest morality, and in an unaffected love of the Creator and His works, it has long ranked amongst the most popular compositions in our language." It is, indeed, a delightful work, breathing the perfume of country air, and of the flowers in the windows of the cottages. The reader is charmed with the varied pictures of rural scenery, and the description of placid trout streams. Even the snatches of old songs have a peculiar interest, while the simplicity and kindness of heart of the author, and the manner in which the minute incidents he meets with are related, make us love as well as admire him. Even his dinners with his companions, at a village ale-house, are so well described, that we can

almost fancy that we see the party seated round their dish of fish, with a foaming tankard of ale by their side, and that we are listening to their harmless and amusing conversation. Walton, from the enjoyment of country air, and the prospect of country scenery, seemed to awake to a new life, which added a charm to his descriptions, from the very pleasure which they afforded. him. The following is a beautiful passage on the Song of Birds.

"The Lark, when she means to rejoice, and cheer herself and those that hear her, quits the earth, and sings as she ascends higher into the air; and, having ended her heavenly employment, grows then mute and sad, to think she must descend to the dull earth, which she would not touch, but for necessity. How do the Blackbird and Throssel with their melodious voices bid welcome to the cheerful spring, and in their fixed months warble forth such ditties as no art or instrument can reach to! Nay, the smaller birds also do the like in their particular seasons, as, namely, the Laverock, the Tit-lark, the little Linnet, and the honest Robin, that loves mankind both alive and dead. But the Nightingale, another of my airy creatures, breathes such sweet loud music out of her little instrumental throat, that it might make mankind to think miracles are not ceased. He that at midnight, when the very labourer sleeps securely, should hear, as I have very often, the clear airs, the sweet discants, the natural rising and falling, the doubliug and re

doubling of her voice, might well be lifted above earth, and say, 'Lord, what music hast thou provided for the Saints in Heaven, when thou affordest sinful man such music on earth!'"

I have always considered this as one of the most exquisite descriptions in Walton's Angler. No one but a true lover of nature could have written it, and the impressive beauty of the concluding passage could only have been conceived by a good man.

Of the family of Swallows (Hirundines) there are four kinds found in our island. Three of them attach themselves to our dwellings, as if peculiarly solicitous for our welfare. This connexion seems so necessary to them, that in places not inhabited by man few Swallows are found, but they will attach themselves to houses as soon as they are erected. As a proof of this, I may mention that when the Hudson's Bay Company built houses in a remote part of North America, Swallows immediately came and even made their nests under a low verandah which went round the house, so familiar did they at once become with its inhabitants, who as they passed along nearly touched the nests.

The food of Swallows consists wholly of insects, and it is an interesting fact that the most diligent enquirer has never been able to discover that these birds injure in the slightest degree the productions of either the field or garden; and this can be said but of few