Did I not promise those who fished
  And pimped most, any part they wished?—­Ibid., p. 33.

  ’T is all well here; though ’t were a grand mistake
  To write so, should one “fish” for a “forty-eight!”
    Childe Harvard, p. 33.

  Still achieving, still intriguing,
  Learn to labor and to fish.
    Poem before Y.H., 1849.

The following passage explains more clearly, perhaps, the meaning of this word.  “Any attempt to raise your standing by ingratiating yourself with the instructors, will not only be useless, but dishonorable.  Of course, in your intercourse with the Professors and Tutors, you will not be wanting in that respect and courtesy which is due to them, both as your superiors and as gentlemen.”—­Harvardiana, Vol.  III. p. 79.

Washington Allston, who graduated at Harvard College in the year 1800, left a painting of a fishing scene, to be transmitted from class to class.  It was in existence in the year 1828, but has disappeared of late.

FISH, FISHER.  One who attempts to ingratiate himself with his instructor, thereby to obtain favor or advantage; one who curries favor.

You besought me to respect my teachers, and to be attentive to my studies, though it shall procure me the odious title of a “fisher.”—­Monthly Anthology, Boston, 1804, Vol.  I. p. 153.

FISHING.  The act performed by a fisher.  The full force of this word is set forth in a letter from Dr. Popkin, a Professor at Harvard College, to his brother William, dated Boston, October 17th, 1800.

“I am sensible that the good conduct which I have advised you, and which, I doubt not, you are inclined to preserve, may expose you to the opprobrious epithet, fishing.  You undoubtedly understand, by this time, the meaning of that frightful term, which has done more damage in college than all the bad wine, and roasted pigs, that have ever fired the frenzy of Genius!  The meaning of it, in short, is nothing less than this, that every one who acts as a reasonable being in the various relations and duties of a scholar is using the basest means to ingratiate himself with the government, and seeking by mean compliances to purchase their honors and favors.  At least, I thought this to be true when I was in the government.  If times and manners are altered, I am heartily glad of it; but it will not injure you to hear the tales of former times.  If a scholar appeared to perform his exercises to his best ability, if there were not a marked contempt and indifference in his manner, I would hear the whisper run round the class, fishing.  If one appeared firm enough to perform an unpopular duty, or showed common civility to his instructors, who certainly wished him well, he was fishing.  If he refused to join in some general disorder, he was insulted with fishing.  If he did not appear to despise the esteem and approbation of his instructors, and to disclaim all the rewards of diligence and virtue, he was suspected of fishing.  The fear of this suspicion or imputation has, I believe, perverted many minds which, from good and honorable motives, were better disposed.”—­Memorial of John S. Popkin, D.D., pp. xxvi., xxvii.