Lost Leaders

"Lost Leaders" by Andrew Lang is a treasury of essays first appearing in the "Daily News" during the close of the 1800s. These writings uncover nature, athletic activities, and societal viewpoints, largely spotlighting the Scottish terrain and the adventures of fishermen and athletes. Lang's perceptive reflections communicate a longing for a more uncomplicated period, where the loveliness of Scotland's streams and rustic existence is coupled with reflections regarding a progressing society. "Lost Leaders" begins by transporting readers to the captivating splendor of Scotland in autumn, accentuating the landscape's revitalization as summer recedes. Lang illustrates the appeal of trout angling throughout this period, highlighting the entanglement between fishing, nature, and cherished past memories. He analyzes Sir Thomas Dick Lauder’s last book, lauding his treasured memories of angling in Scotland's waterways. As Lang navigates through descriptions of various rivers and their past meaning, he ponders how the here and now has changed both the angling adventure and the storybook countryside, intermixing affection for nature with a sentiment of sadness for an age that has slipped away.