from the
lists of the obtainable.

But not very long ago I heard the good news that you had another volume
on the stocks, and I felt that the situation was improving. And now I
have had the privilege of actually reading that volume in the proof
sheets and can report the glad tidings for the benefit of my brethren
of the angle. At last they will be able to procure one of your books
by the simple process of entering a bookseller's and asking for it. I
do not propose here to say much about the new volume except that it
will certainly stand beside _Waterside Sketches_ on that special shelf
and that it will take its turn with the others in the regular sequence
of re-reading. It is the real article, what I may call "genuine Red
Spinner," hallmark and all. I must express my satisfaction that you
have given in it some further record of the angling in other lands
which you have enjoyed in your much-travelled experience. The
Antipodes, Canada, the United States, Norway, Belgium before the
tragedy--you make it all just as vivid to us as those cold spring days
on the rolling Tay, the glowing time of lilac and Mayfly, or the serene
evenings when the roach float dips sweetly at every swim. Whatever
one's mood, salmon or gudgeon, spinning bait or black gnat, Middlesex
or Mississippi, your pages have something to suit it.

Ever since I first met you, on a September evening at Newbury now
nearly twenty years ago, you have consistently given me ever-increasing
cause for gratitude. Whether as accomplished journalist and Editor of
the _Field_, as writer and author of books, as a man with a genius for
friendship, if I may quote the phrase, or as an expert with rod and
line--in whatever guise you appeared I had cause to thank you for
allowing me "to call you Master." That I am able to do so now thus
publicly means that one at least of my ambitions has been realised.
And I will take leave to subscribe myself with all affection, "Your
scholar,"

H. T. SHERINGHAM.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

AN OPEN LETTER

CHAPTER

I. ANGLING AS A REAL FIELD SPORT
II. MANFORD AND SERTON'S COSY NEST
III. MAYFLY DAYS AND DIALOGUES
IV. MY FIRST TWEED SALMON
V. MUSINGS OF A BUSH RIDE
VI. WITH VERDANT ALDERS CROWN'D
VII. A FIRST SPRINGER AND SOME OTHERS
VIII. ANGLING COUSINS AT THE VICARAGE
IX. A CONTRAST IN THAMES ANGLING
X. TWO RED LETTER SALMON
XI. A SERMON ON VEXATIONS AND CONSOLATIONS