you for your many instructions, which, God willing, I will not forget. And as St. Austin in his Confessions,' book iv. chap. 3, commemorates the kindness of his friend Verecundus, for lending him and his companion a country-house, because there they rested and enjoyed themselves free from the troubles of the world; so, having had the like advantage, both by your conversation and the art you have taught me, I ought ever to do the like: for indeed, your company and discourse have been so useful and pleasant, that I may truly say I have only lived since I enjoyed them, and turned angler, and not before. Nevertheless, here I must part with you, here in this now sad place, where I was so happy as first to meet you: but I shall long for the ninth of May, for then I hope again to enjoy your beloved company at the appointed time and place. And now I wish for some somniferous potion, that might force me to sleep away the intermitted time, which will pass away with me as tediously, as it does with men in sorrow; nevertheless I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes and wishes. And my good master, I will not forget the doctrine which you told me Socrates taught his scholars, that they should not think to be honoured so much for being philosophers, as to honour philosophy by their virtuous lives. You advised me to the like concerning angling, and I will endeavour to do so, and to live like those many worthy men of which you translated from Martial, lib. ii. epig. 53, which, far surpassing the original, exhibit a lovely picture of a contented mind; and for the manly spirit of independence that breathes in them, I have never yet seen equalled by any in our own language. Would you be free? 'Tis your chief wish, you say. Whilst bounteous God does bread at home bestow; 1 The passage to which Walton alludes will be found in a translation of the "Life of St. Augustine," folio, Lond. 1660.--N. made mention in the former part of your discourse. This is my firm resolution. And as a pious man advised his friend, that, to beget mortification, he should frequent churches, and view monuments, and charnel-houses, and then and there consider how many dead bones Time had piled up at the gates of Death: So when I would beget content, and increase confidence in the power, and wisdom, and providence of Almighty God, I will walk the meadows by some gliding stream, and there contemplate the lilies that take no care, and those very many other various little living creatures, that are not only created, but fed, man knows not how, by the goodness of the God of Nature, and therefore trust in him. This is my purpose; 66 and SO Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord:" And let the blessing of St. Peter's Master be with mine. Pisc. And upon all that are lovers of virtue; and dare trust in his providence, and be quiet, and go a-Angling, APPENDIX ON RODS, LINES, HOOKS, AND OTHER TACKLE, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST AUTHORITIES. BY H. G. B. RODS. THE GENERAL ROD, which is usually from 14 to 18 feet in length with four, five, or six joints, and made of hickory, is a very con venient one for the young practitioner, or for use in places where it is uncertain what fish may present themselves. It is so extensive in its capabilities, that nothing comes amiss to it; and, if it does nothing in the best manner, it will at least act very respectably in most kinds of fishing, except that of throwing the fly, which, notwithstanding its fly-top, it executes very indifferently. In this rod the various tops three, four, or five, are contained in a hollow within the butt or stock, which is closed by a cap, made to receive a spike. The butt has also winch fittings, and the various joints, or pieces, are furnished with rings throughout. In fact, the tyro cannot do better than provide himself with one of these factotum articles, which are made very portable; and it is equally desirable to the traveller who has not an opportunity of carrying more than one rod with him. The Londoners generally use one 18 feet long, made of South Carolina cane. Ephemera says that with a good general rod, having several tops, so that you may shorten or lengthen it as occasion requires, you may successfully angle for any species of river fish; roach perhaps excepted, which require a specific rod. As the aspirant advances, he will find the advantage of providing himself with distinct rods for different kinds of fishing, it being impossible to adapt one rod satisfactorily to all sorts of work. THE BAG ROD, properly so called, is little more than a light general bottom rod, from 16 to 20, but usually about 19 feet, consisting of six or seven pieces, including spare tops, packed in three cases, and made either of bamboo or cane, the latter being preferable for roach and light fishing, the former where more strength is required. It generally has a strong top that fits into the fifth or sixth joint and forms a trolling rod; and sometimes a whalebone top, about ten inches long, to fit in the small joint (instead of the roach top), for perchfishing and spinning a minnow. Y POCKET ROD. This is similar to the bag-rod, but made shorter, in from nine to twelve joints of 18 inches each-compact enough to be carried in an inside coat-pocket, or to pack in a portmanteau. It is well fitted for any fine fishing, as for roach, dace, gudgeons, bleak, &c. THE WALKING-STICK ROD (a yard long), for bottom fishing, consists of three or four, but sometimes six joints, received within each other, extending in all to 9, 12, 15, or even 18 feet, varying in price from 2s. 6d. to 21. 28. As might be expected, it is not a very efficient article; it, however, promises little, and seldom does a great deal. Walking-stick rods are also made for fly-fishing, and are then more expensive, usually from 17. 1s. to 21. 2s. To the professed angler distinct rods are necessary for each kind of fishing, and these we shall now proceed to describe. THE LIGHT BOTTOM ROD (for bank-fishing), for roach, dace, gudgeon, smelt, and other fine fishing, varies in length according to the extent and nature of the fishing-ground, and ranges from 12 to 16 feet, but with professed roach anglers often extends to 18, 20, and even 21 feet or more. It can be neither too light nor too stiff, that is, must taper stiffly, not be top-heavy, and have just elasticity enough to strike a fish quickly, without the delay which too much play in the top pieces would cause. It is often made either of bamboo or Spanish WHITE CANE (the latter, though rather more expensive at first, being preferable), with a bamboo top. To compensate for its want of strength, it is sometimes ringed throughout, and furnished with a reel and running line; by which means, if a heavy fish should take the bait, the rod will not suffer. A small reel is no encumbrance to a rod; it adds but little to its weight; and when placed on the upper surface of the butt, a very light rod will kill a very heavy fish. A STRONG ROD for pearch, chub, bream, carp, tench, and eels, and also for minnow-spinning, may be from 12 to 16 and even 18 feet long. Such a rod should be altogether stouter and stiffer than the last, and may be either of hickory or cane; if of cane, the upper joints should be of the very best bamboo. Besides the running line and winch, it should be also furnished with a spike to screw into the butt; indeed, a buttspike may be considered a necessary appendage to every variety of rod beyond the very lightest, and it may even prove useful with that. THE BARBEL ROD, which may also be used for pike-fishing with live bait, or angling with ledger bait, should be stiff. It is generally made of hickory, and its length 11 to 15 feet, proportioned to the extent of the water fished in; but 12 feet seems to be the favourite length. If it be weak, particularly in the middle joints, a heavy fish will surely distress, and perhaps break it; it should be strong in the top also, and ringed throughout, and should never be used without running tackle. THE PUNT ROD does not require to be so long as the bank rod, and is usually only 10 or 11, and sometimes 12 feet long, made of hickory, East India cane, or bamboo. Some are made of white cane, with silver mountings, for ladies. They should be strong, and stiff enough to strike from the point, being used principally in the Thames, and adapted for roach and barbel fishing with a float. THE TROLLING ROD.-There is no kind of rod with which a good |