same may be said of shooting, though in a far more
Any hints for the Rod or Gun in this book have been gathered of late years, and never before published. Sporting works are often charged with throwing the long line, and drawing the long bow; but any such tendency must destroy both the pleasure and profit of reading them. So far as he is aware, no charge of the kind has ever been brought against the author of this treatise; and although he might easily have made it more interesting and exciting by indulging his fancy, he takes this opportunity of solemnly pledging his word, that neither in this, nor any of his former writings, has he exaggerated one sporting feat, or overcoloured one eccentric trait of human nature. The former are exactly as they happened-the latter as true to life as the Author had power to paint them. The concluding Essay was originally given to the public in form of a Lecture.