we are leaving our Dove, and that I have no mind to do.

ANGLER.-Let me persuade you, for it is only to bring you back to her again with greater contentment; so you may leave her to her own careless pleasures in those flowery meads, whilst you and I pass through Glutton Dale; and here we have dipped into the valley, and are come to the base of the hill, that looked so towering some miles off.

PAINTER. Indeed! we are arrived at it quickly. Has this mountain a name hereabouts?

ANGLER.-Marry, and a well known onewith its elder brother, that is twice as high; they are the Great and Little Cromes; and there you may now see them before you, with cattle feeding on the very pinnacle.

PAINTER. That is a strange sight; I wonder how they clambered up such a steepy

crag.

ANGLER.-And see, I am as good as my word, for here we are come again to the Dove; -so follow me over this wooden bridge into Staffordshire.

PAINTER. Is this your River Dove? She is not grown bigger since last we parted.

ANGLER. You are in the right; she is less and less, and darker than we remember her: for her path has been through some boggy mountainous ways; but like the eyes of a Moorish beauty, she is clear and sparkling, and is now hurrying on to the sweet prospects about Mr. Cotton's fishing-house that we so

lately passed and do you mark how she declines the invitations of these little rocks and glades, and water docks, and shaly banks that hope to detain her, breaking away from their embraces with a disdainful murmur.

PAINTER. And not without reason, for the prospects hereabouts are middling.

ANGLER.-Nay-turn yourself, and look at those high mountains: the two Cromes are now behind us, where the flocks and cattle still browse on the summits.

PAINTER.-How, say you? Not those Cromes you spoke of an hour ago?

ANGLER. The same; but now they present themselves in a bold profile, and are broken into sharper edges

PAINTER.-Sharp indeed,-for the crags on the top are of such a narrowness, that I would not believe the cattle might stand there, if I did not see them do it: and, for my own part, I would not go over those rocks for a thou'sand pounds.'

ANGLER. Nor tumble off them for two.' PAINTER.—It is an odd country indeed :'but halt, brother, what is that I see?

ANGLER.-Aye, Sir,-now having past by Winterside, that looked so cold and rocky, we are come to Washgate; and tell me what you think of the landskip before you?

PAINTER.-You have taken me quite by a surprise, for here is a prodigious passage in the mountains that for rudeness of nature cannot be exceeded: methinks we are come to the world's end.

ANGLER.--See how the Dove is suddenly forced down these rocky ledges, and is then joined by another and as rapid a stream,-Calshaw Brook, that is scarce deserving of a name, -yet gushes down with a merry loud noise.

PAINTER.-I am enchanted with this wilderness: but I will confess your mountainous ways have put my metal to the proof, and I begin to be weary; so I beseech you let us sit awhile, that I may do my best to make a picture of these high rocks; and I shall ask you to read me some passages from my master's Book of Angling; and I remember how, because his happy companion, VENATOR, promised to dedicate two days to angling in his company, it was agreed they should first bestow the next day to hunt the Otter.

6

ANGLER.--You shall hear what they did after they met the next morning, just as the sun was rising For you are to know, as they came to Amwell Hill, the dogs had just put down an Otter. Then, after a short greeting, Mr. VENATOR told him to look down at the 'bottom of the hill there, in that meadow, chequered with water-lilies and lady-smocks, there you may see what work they make. Look! look! all busy; men and dogs, dogs ' and men-all busy.' Then PISCATOR declared; he was glad to see so many dogs, and more men, all in pursuit of the Otter: let us 'compliment no longer, but join unto them. Come, honest VENATOR, let us be gone, let us make haste; I long to be doing-no reasonable hedge or ditch shall hold me.'

PAINTER.-Was it Mr. Izaak said that? ANGLER.--Aye, aye; quiet Mr. Walton, that carries himself with so singular a sweetness and temper-but he hath a cheerful spirit, and withal a sweet instinct towards innocent recreations and so he was suddenly transported, and longed to be doing.' Think how the meek angler promised no reasonable hedge 'or ditch should hold him.' I can almost think I see him now with his staff, hasting to the bottom of the hill, where the men and dogs, dogs and men, were all busy.'

6

PAINTER. And tell me what they saw when they got there?

6

ANGLER.-They met a Gentleman Huntsman, that was cheering on his dogs to take the Otter; so they enquired where he found this Otter; and he replied, Marry Sir, we found her a mile from this place a-fishing: she has this morning eaten the greatest part of this trout; she has only left thus much of it, as you see, and ' was fishing for more; when we came we found 'her just at it: but we were here very early, we were here an hour before sun-rise, and have 'given her no rest since we came; surely she will hardly escape all these dogs and men.' Then, after a short conversation, he bade them follow him, for he saw the Otter above water at vent, and the dogs close with him; I now see, he will not last long-follow, therefore, my 'masters, follow; for Sweetlips was like to have him at this last vent.' Then you may be sure they followed, and with a great eagerness then VENATOR Cried out: Oh me! all the horses

are got over the river, what shall we do now? 'shall we follow them over the water?' 'No, Sir, no;' (said the Otter-huntsman)' be not so eager; stay a little, and follow me, for both they and the dogs will be suddenly on this side again, I warrant you, and the otter too, 'it may be. Now have at him with Kilbuck, for he vents again.' Then VENATOR, having a natural propensity to all kinds of sports with dogs, heartily exclaimed Marry! so he does: for, look! he vents in that corner. Now, now, Ringwood has him: now he is gone again, and has bit the poor dog. Now, Sweetlips has her; hold her, Sweetlips! now all the dogs have her; some above, and some ' under water: but now, now she is tired, and 'past losing. Come bring her to me, Sweetlips. Look! It is a Bitch-otter, and she has lately whelped. Let's go to the place where she was put down; and not far from it you will find all her young ones, I dare warrant 'you, and kill them all too.'

6

PAINTER-Excellent! What a joyful and natural confusion of the huntsmen ! men and dogs, dogs and men, all busy?

ANGLER. And after that they went to an honest ale-house, where they had a cup of good barley wine, and sang Old Rose, and so they rejoiced together, and then bade farewell with mutual good thoughts and wishes; and so honest Mr. Walton and his scholar went to their sport of angling.

PAINTER. Very pleasant! what a natural sprightliness of manner in handling his sub