"THE VADE-MECUM OF FLY-FISHING FOR TROUT," LONDON: INTRODUCTION. THE schoolmaster" will probably very soon efface all the more prominent characteristics of the ancient English dialects which yet are lingering in the rural districts. No one can doubt that the "uncouth" and " vulgar " phraseology (as "gentility gentility" sometimes calls it) of those who lead their toilful lives "remote from towns," are the remains of the tongue which Alfred spoke, and the foundation of the English language of the present day. "That among an unlettered race," says Mr. Akerman, "there should be much in their speech which may be denominated vulgar, is unquestionably true; but there are also a great number of words and phrases (which are as certainly the remains of an old tongue once used in England even by the educated.”* It is but natural that an ancient tongue should linger longest among a rural population; for that population is generally stationary in its habits, it mixes little with the "higher orders," and, unfortunately, it has not hitherto been deeply penetrated by the light of Education. The traveller through the different English shires, is * Spring-tide; or, the Angler and his Friends-a very delightful little country book. |