AN GLIN G Is a mode of taking fish, by a hook, baited with worms, minnows, flies, &c. either natural or artificial, which is attached to a line, generally of plaited or twisted horse hairs, depending from a tapering stick, sometimes in one piece, but more usually jointed, called an Angle rod.
The subsistence, the occupation, and pleasure of the American Indians, entirely depend upon fishing, fowl ing, and hunting. But, as we approach from rudeness to refinement, and learn the civilized arts of life, a relish for these pursuits beComes less strong, and they are then followed, not as regular employments, but as tem porary- amusements only.
This art has been long known, and although we can not trace it to its origin, yet, we may see from scrip ture, and some of the old classical writers, that it has been a very ancient sport. Isaiah speaks, in chap. xix. v. 8. of casting angles into the brooks; and Theocritus, said by some to be the first Greek pastoral poet, in his 21st Idyl enumerates, Plutarch tells a very amusing story of Mark Antony, who was a keen angler. One day while Cleopatra and he were indulging in this sport, he was unusually un successful. Hurt at this disappointment in the presence of his mistress, he gave secret orders, to some of his fishermen, to dive under water, and to fasten, unseen, to his hook, some of the finest and largest fishes, still alive, and which they had lately taken in their nets. With nice execution they obeyed his orders. Every time he drew up his line, he succeeded. The cunning Cleopatra, in rapturous language, extolled his art, his address, and his fortune. Acquainted, however, with the artifice he was using, she had recourse to the inge nious countermine of desiring one of her own attendants to dive secretly, and attach to his hook a large dried Pontian fish. At last, when pulling up the line, at the sight of the heavy salted fish, the spectators expressed their surprise by a loud laugh. Antony did not relisIti the joke, and seemed highly displeased. The queen observing him in this mood, immediately took him in her arms, and fondly exclaimed, "Leave, dear general, angling, to us petty princes of Pharos and Canopus; your game is cities, kingdoms, and provinces."
Angling is one of our cheap and easy pleasures; as it may-be followed with small expense, and not much labour; and is particularly adapted to those who are fond of tranquillity and retirement.
This sport, and the spring, the season that introduces it, are finely combined to charm a serene and placid mind. While in the pursuit of this recreation, and in moving from stream to stream, the poet may indulge his fancy, in forming descriptions of the striking and various objects scattered around him. The painter's pencil may then also catch, with happy tints, the most delightful and diversified scenery, that the year and the country offer for landscape delineation. Indeed, the finest prospects in nature are for ever presenting them selves as subjects for the angler's contemplation. The course and range of his walks lie not only amidst the grand and picturesque, but amidst the pastoral and beautiful cottage scenery of our favoured isle ; retreats admirably calculated to inspire the mind with innocent cheerfulnees, and calm content.
The pleasures and art of angling have oft employed the pens of some of our best writers and poets. The first we shall mention is Mr Isaac Walton, who has written a most valuable and popular treatise on this subject. It is truly a most interesting book ; and his rules and descriptions are delivered in such an unaf fected simplicity of language, and conveyed with such goodness of heart, that it will always be perused with the utmost love and admiration of the author; and, it has been remarked,. " that it recommends itself to all readers, even to those who have not the least inclina tion to the art it teaches." Thomson, in the opening of his poem, the Spring,. gives an excellent didactic account of trout angling ; yet, while we allow its merits, we cannot subscribe all his advices regarding the winds which are most favourable for the diversion.