ts owner with the comforting assurance, "It will do."

* * * * *

These are but specimen illustrations of the pleasure and exhilaration
which come to those who "go-a-fishing" for salmon. But the pastime
holds its votaries for other reasons than the mere excitement it
affords them. A diversion which reaches only to the material of our
natures can never acquire a permanent place in the affections of men of
thoughtful habit. It is proof, therefore, of the satisfying and
elevating character of the gentle art, that its disciples never weary
of the pleasure it affords them. Indeed, the most enthusiastic anglers,
and those who best illustrate its refining and invigorating influence,
are those who have passed into "the sere and yellow leaf" with rod and
reel as their inseparable companions. Like the virtues, it grows by
what it feeds upon; and as the sun becomes more and more attractive in
its mellow beauty, as it silently and gently sinks from view, so do the
pleasures of angling become increasingly fascinating to its happy
votaries as they near the gateway of their final rest. Ah! unhappy they
who, in making haste to be rich, fail to avail themselves of the
opportunity which angling affords to garner up such pleasant memories
as would cast perennial rays of refreshing sunshine upon the too often
sombre pathway of old age!

GEORGE DAWSON.

EXECUTIVE PATRONAGE AND CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

Late writers on the English Constitution draw a contrast rather
unfavorable to us between their Parliamentary and our Presidential
Government. Our Executive is a fixture for four years and reeligible.
He is responsible, and not shielded by any such legal fiction as "The
king can do no wrong." In Great Britain, the cabinet, selected from the
legislature, is the real executive body. "In its origin it belongs to
the legislative part of the State; in its functions it belongs to the
executive part." By a conventional code, the ministry or "the
Government" can be changed by a vote of want of confidence, or by a
defeat of the ministry in the House of Commons on a governmental
measure. Our Cabinet holds a subordinate position. The Constitution
contemplates, but does not define, "executive departments." Seven have
been established by law, some of which have been divided into inferior
departments called bureaus. The Cabinet is the political family of the
President. The "heads of departments" are his co