6 SEPTEMBER 1884, Page 24

The Sea-Fisherman. By J. C. Wileocks. Fourth Edition. (Long- mans

and Co.)—It is many years since we reviewed the first edition of this book. It then, we thought, took its place as the best work on the subject. Now that it appears "much enlarged and almost en- tirely rewritten," we can but repeat our commendation with more emphasis. Most readers will be surprised to find the variety of information which it gives. The number of different kinds of tackle, for instance, which it describes is quite surprising. The common notion of sea-fishing line is of a very coarse apparatus, consisting of a heavy lead, a stiff wire running through it, and two rough-looking books, all attached to a line somewhat like a small cable. Mr. Wil- cocks's treatise will set this right and leave the more correct impres- sion that sea-fishing is a pursuit that admits of skill and science, and requires—or, at least, is much assisted by—a delicately contrived apparatus. One thing we would suggest to the anthor,—to prefix an emphatic warning to the inland amateur not to go haphazard on a sea-fishing expedition. He should watch for a time when there has been a spell of fine weather for some time. If there is rough weather, or if there has been rough weather, he will find his occupation gone. But whenever he goes, he should certainly take this admirable volume with him.