BIBL TOGRA PH V OF A NGLING. 269 



to stand still for more than half a century. The wonder 

 is greater when one considers that in England it was 

 a century prolific of good angling works, and also 

 that our Monarch and his courtiers were on sufficiently 

 familiar terms with France at that time (being unwilling 

 visitors there,) to offer our Gallic relations many favourable 

 opportunities of learning the gentle art. However, be the 

 reason what it may, we do not find before 1660 (the 

 Restoration year) any further mention of angling in 

 French works. At that date a book, much like a French 

 " Nicholas Cox," was published at Paris. Then, until 

 1709, no new work appeared. After the last date angling 

 works published in that country became more numerous, 

 but with all its advantages, that of nearness especially to 

 the fountain-head of angling, France has not even at this 

 date contrived to reach more than one tithe of the number 

 published in Britain. 



Germany has done much more than France for angling 

 literature, and possibly a sort of subtle connection may 

 exist between the pedigree of a people and its fondness 

 for angling. If this be so the Germans have more claim 

 to kindred with us than any other nation. The first wor.k 

 met with in catalogues is dated 1559; then 1581, 1582, 

 1 61 2, 1680, 1685, 1690, 1692, and 1696, each gave a 

 German book, either wholly or partially devoted to 

 angling. In the following century there were published 

 twenty works on angling, and in the present century I 

 find upwards of thirty-five more. It will thus be seen 

 that, although she is a long way behind us, Germany still 

 outstrips all other competitors. 



