$ neBRlTlSH ANGLER. 



and that by them it was derived to Poflerity. 

 Laftly, there are fome who maintain that he 

 left it engraven on thofe Pillars, which he e- 

 redled, to perpetuate the Knowledge of the 

 Mathematicks, Mufick, and the reft of thoie 

 ufeful Arts, which, by God's Allowance, 

 and his own Induftry, were preferved from 

 periihing in Noah's Flood. PofTibly the Au- 

 thors of all thefe Opinions have endeavoured 

 to make Angling more antient than can juft- 

 ly be warranted : But of this we are certain, 

 that it was prafliied long before the Incar- 

 nation of our Saviour : For in the Prophet 

 ./^mos mention is made of Fifh-hooks ; and 

 in the Book o^Joh^ which is thought to have 

 been written by iVf^j, they are again men- 

 tioned j which muft imply Anglers in thole 

 Times. 



And as for the Utiliiy of this Diverfion, 

 we muft confider an antient Queftion, which 

 remains yet unrefolved. Whether the Happi- 

 nefs of Man in this World confifts more in 

 Contemplation or A6lion ? Thofe who main- 

 tain the firft Opinion, argue. That the near- 

 er v/e Mortals come to God by Way of Imi- 

 tation, the more happy w^ are. God, fay 

 they, enjoys himfelf only by a Contempla- 

 tion of his own Infinity, Eternity, Power, 

 Goodnefs, and other Attributes. Upon this 

 Ground many Perfons of great Learning and 

 Devotion prefer Contemplation before Ac- 

 tion : And feveral of the Fathers feem to ap- 

 prove 



