Preface

Several of the sketches in this volume have appeared in periodicals. "The Bloody Doctor" was in Macmillan's Magazine, "The Confessions of a Duffer," "Loch Awe," and "The Lady or the Salmon?" were in the Fishing Gazette, but have been to some extent re-written. "The Double Alibi" was in Longman's Magazine. The author has to thank the Editors and Publishers for permission to reprint these papers.

The gem engraved on the cover is enlarged from a small intaglio in the collection of Mr. M. H. N. STORY-MASKELYNE, M.P. Such gems were recommended by Clemens of Alexandria to the early Christians. "The figure of a man fishing will put them in mind of the Apostle." Perhaps the Greek is using the red hackle described by AElian in the only known Greek reference to fly-fishing.

Note to New Edition:

The historical version of the Black Officer's career, very unlike the legend in "Loch Awe," may be read in Mr. Macpherson's Social Life in the Highlands.