INTRODUCTION. 13 



Angling is alone fufHcient to outweigh all un- 

 jiift Cenfure. Sir He^iry was not only a mofl 

 dear Lover, and a frequent Pradlifer of the 

 i\rt of Angling •, but would often fay of it, 

 Jl was an Employment for his idle Time^ which 

 was not then idly fpent : For Anglings after 

 tedious Study y was a Reft to his Mind^ a Chear- 

 er of his Spirits ^ a Diver ter of Sadnefs^ a CaU 

 mer of unquiet Thought s^ a Moderator of Faf- 

 fionSy a Procurer of Content ednefs \ and that it 

 begat Habits of Peace and Patience in thofe who 

 profeffed and praElifed it. In a Word, he found 

 Angling to be like the Virtue of Humility, 

 which has a Calmnefs of Spirit, and a World 

 of other BleiTings attending upon it. 



The following Lines, written by him at 

 above 70 Years of Age, may give an Idea 

 of his Temper. 



^is Day Dame Nature feem^d in love^ 

 'The lufty Sap began to move ; 

 Frefh Juice didftir th^ embracing Fines y 

 And Birds had drawn their Valentines : 

 ne jealous Trout, that low did lie^ 

 Rofe at a well-difjernbled Fly. 

 There flood my Friend with patient Skilly 

 Attending of his trembling ^dll. 

 The Groves already did rejoice 

 In Philomel' J triumphing Voice: 

 ^he Showers were floor t -, the Weather mild j 

 The Morning freflj ; the Evening fmil*d. 

 Thus all lookd gay^ and full ofChear^ 

 To welcome the new-liverfd l^ear* 



SECT. 



