readers; they may serve as resting-places in an intricate plot, but they
were not, on that account, wanted here. At the same time, they are
recommended by plain sense, knowledge of the world, shrewdness, and
harmless satire on the weak sides of our nature, and are therefore
_useful_; whilst their terseness and vivacity will free them from the
charge of dulness, or the sin of prosing.


* * * * *

DIALOGUES ON FLY FISHING.

_By Sir Humphry Davy._


We continue our extracts from this "philosophical angler's" delightful
little book. The present will serve such as are unacquainted with the
mysteries of fly-fishing, and interest all who are fond of inquiries in
natural history.


_Management of Flies._

_Hal_--Whilst you are preparing I will mention a circumstance which every
accomplished fly-fisher ought to know. You changed your flies on Saturday
with the change of weather, putting the dark flies on for the bright
gleams of the sun, and the gaudy flies when the dark clouds appeared. Now
I will tell you of another principle which it is as necessary to know as
the change of flies for change of weather; I allude to the different kinds
of fly to be used in particular pools, and even for particular parts of