29．The Angler
How comforting it is to see a cheerful and contented old age; and to beholda poor fellow, like this, after being tempest-tost through life, safelymoored in a snug and quiet harbour in the evening of his days ! Hishappiness, how- ever, sprung from within himself, and was independent ofexternal circumstances; for he had that inexhaustible good-nature, whichis the most precious gift of Heaven, spreading itself like oil over thetroubled sea of thought, and keeping the mind smooth and equable in theroughest weather.
On inquiring further about him I learned that he was a universal favoritein the village, and the oracle of the tap- room; where he delighted therustics with his songs(1), and, like Sindbad(2), astonished them with hisstories of strange lands, and shipwrecks, and sea-fights. He was muchnoticed too by gentlemen sportsmen of the neighborhood; had taught severalof them the art of angling; and was a privileged visitor to theirkitchens(3). The whole tenor of his life was quiet and inoffensive, beingprincipally passed about the neighboring streams, when the weather andseason were favorable; and at other times he employed himself at home(4),preparing his fishing tackle for the next campaign(5), or manufacturingrods, nets, and flies(6), for his patrons and pupils among the gentry. |