POIET. In every thing belonging to the economy of nature, I find new reasons for wondering at the designs of Providence,―at the infinite intelligence by which so many complicated effects are produced by the most simple causes. The precipitation of water from the atmosphere, its rapid motion in rivers, and its falls in cataracts, not only preserve this element pure, but give it its vitality, and render it subservient even to the embryo life of the fish; and the storms which agitate the ocean, and mingle it with the atmosphere, supply at once food to marine plants, and afford a principle of life to the fishes which inhabit its depths. So that the perturbation and motion of the winds and waves possess a use, and ́ought to impress us with a beauty higher and more delightful even than that of the peaceful and glorious calm.

THIRD DAY.

HALIEUS-POIETES-ORNITHER-PHYSICUS.

SCENE

DENHAM.

Morning.

HAL.-YOU will soon take your leave, gentlemen, of this agreeable villa, but we must catch at least two brace of trout, to carry with us to London as a present for two worthy patrons of the angle. For though I know our liberal host will have a basket of fish packed up for each of our party, yet fish taken this morning will be imagined a more acceptable present than those caught yesterday. The May-fly is already upon the water, though not in great quantity, and it will consequently be more easy to catch the fish, which I see are rising with great activity. I advise you to go to the deep

water below, where you will find the largest fish, and I will soon follow you.

POIET.I hope I shall catch a large fish, -a companion to that which Ornither took yesterday with a natural fly.

[Halieus leaves them fishing, and returns to the house; but soon comes back and joins his companions, whom he finds fishing below in the river.]

HAL.-Well, gentlemen, what sport?

POIET.-The fish are rising every where; but though we have been throwing over them with all our skill for a quarter of an hour, yet not a single one will take, and I am afraid we shall return to breakfast without our prey.

HAL. I will try; but I shall go to the other side, where I see a very large fish rising. There! I have him at the very first throw. Land this fish, and put him into the well. Now I have another; and I have no doubt I could take half a dozen in this very place, where you have been so long fishing without

success.

PHYS.-You must have a different fly; or have you some unguent or charm to tempt the fish?

HAL.-No such thing. If any of you will give me your rod and fly, I will answer for it I shall have the same success. I take your rod, Physicus. And, lo! I have a fish!

PHYS.-What can be the reason of this? It is perfectly inexplicable to me. Yet Poietes seems to throw as light as you do, and as well as he did yesterday.

HAL. - I am surprised that you, who are a philosopher, cannot discover the reason of this. Think a little.

HAL.-As you are my scholars, I believe I must teach you. The sun is bright, and you have been, naturally enough, fishing with your backs to the sun, which, not being very high, has thrown the shadows of your rods and yourselves upon the water, and you have alarmed the fish, whenever you have thrown a fly. You see I have fished with my face towards the sun, and though incon

venienced by the light, have given no alarm. Follow my example, and you will soon have sport, as there is a breeze playing on the

water.

PHYS.-Your sagacity puts me in mind of an anecdote which I remember to have heard respecting the late eloquent statesman, Charles James Fox; who, walking up Bond Street from one of the club-houses with an illustrious personage, laid him a wager, that he would see more cats than the Prince in his walk, and that he might take which side of the street he liked. When they got to the top, it was found that Mr. Fox had seen thirteen cats, and the Prince not one. The royal personage asked for an explanation of this apparent miracle, and Mr. Fox said, "Your Royal Highness took, of course, the shady side of the way, as most agreeable; I knew that the sunny side would be left to me, and cats always prefer the sunshine."

HAL.-There! Poietes, by following my advice you have immediately hooked a fish; and while you are catching a brace, I will