Page:John Buchan - Musa Piscatrix.djvu/22

 xviii ''his work. Two songs I have admitted from "The Complete Angler," which, though scarce piscatorial in subject, are so by association. A strict chronological order has not been adopted, Dennys' poem, for instance, being put first as a suitable introduction, and the "Complete Angler" songs placed approximately in the order in which they appear in Walton's book. Of local verse of the "Tyneside Garlands" and "Coquetdale Fishing Songs" kind, I have taken but one example, since if a man once began to select there would be no limits to his choosing, so uniform is their mediocre worth. It is hoped that this little book may be a pleasant companion to all lovers of the sport, and furnish them with Jingles of rhyme and ends of verses when they next go a–fishing.''

''The celebration of angling by the poets is a very English characteristic, and the fact that there is a literary grace about the art says much for an excellent taste. It is partly due, doubtless, to the great influence of Walton, who has in a manner classicised it; but partly, also, to our Northern love of the open air and open-air sports, and our Northern perception''