Produced by Neville Allen, Steven Gibbs and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net THE ANGLICAN FRIAR, AND THE FISH WHICH HE TOOK BY HOOK AND BY CROOK. _A COMIC LEGEND_, BY A. NOVICE, A.F. & F. _Dedicated to all Lovers of Angling._ [Illustration: THE FRIAR, A COMIC LEGEND.] * * * * * [Illustration: And up suddenly reared, The head of Miss Puss in a very droll way.] * * * * * LONDON: J. AND D. A. DARLING, 126 BISHOPSGATE STREET. 1851. LONDON: Printed by G. BARCLAY, Castle St. Leicester Sq. * * * * * _Arum Legenditis._ [Illustration: FRONTISPIECE.] INTRODUCTION. As a preface in verse Is perhaps the reverse Of the common and so vulgar way, It is thus I intend Introducing my friend, Who would fain his respects to you pay. Of the place of his birth, Though some snug spot on earth, I ne'er heard, so can't tell; Though I guess that the rogue, From his twang of the brogue, Did in Old Erin dwell. But if not, it was surely some queer Irishman Who related the tale. I've tried all that I can To gain further partic'lars, which p'raps might amuse, But I naught could fish out--ev'ry bait proved no use. Still I'll pause to explain (It may p'rhaps entertain), How at first I acquainted became With the facts I relate, Which, with truth I may state, Occurred at some long bygone date. You must know that I love, All amusements above, To arise ere the sun Has his day's work begun, And roam to some river, Who'll kindly deliver Up his subjects to fate For a little ground bait. Oh! how often my slumbering dreams have been broke By the thought I'm too late, and I've suddenly woke To discover 'twas dark, and have dozed off again; But the dose to repeat, hope for rest being vain. I in fancy have fished in most curious places-- Down a coal-hole, in areas, and off cellar bases; Where the queerest of things you can name I have caught, or As I dropt down my line, has retreated the water. Now that angling's a passion to me appears plain, Which amounts to disease if a tight hold it gain; It may oft be relieved by right treatment, perhaps, But then, sooner or later, there's sure a relapse. Standing out a whole day, from its dawn until night, In a good drenching rain, without even a bite, Is a capital thing for just cooling the brain, Though time still will revive--and it warms up again. It is contagious, too, for a brother it caught, As he slept in a room where my tackle was brought; He was up with the lark, and my top joint had broke Ere the 'larum had rung, which the family woke.