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CHAPTER V. 



AUTHORS ON FISH AND FISHING IN THE EIGHTEENTH 



CENTURY, 



The angling literature of this period need not detain us 

 long, as its authors are neither numerous, instructive, nor 

 models in the way of composition. Indeed it cannot be 

 said that there is one among them who has left his mark, 

 unless it be the author of The Young Man's Companion, 

 ^J'^Zy whose production has been described as "a sand- 

 wich of pastime and piety, the one following the other 

 as inevitably as ham follows beef at a picnic." This 

 is a sample of it — 



" Having cast into the river half the grains, and an hour being 

 past, you have no bites of good Roches, you may conclude either 

 the season is not good, or there are Perch or Pike there. Then 

 go to some other place to angle for Roches ; if you had baited 



the place when you first came to the river, the better 



Honest angler, as often as thou art weary, meditate on these 

 verses : 



" Cease then my soul to dote on or admire 

 This splendid world which is reserved for fire ; 

 Decline the company of sinners here. 

 As thou wouldst not be shackled with them there. 



" When you have done angling, go and see if a pike hath 

 swallowed the Roche, the bait, and if you perceive he is not a little 

 one, draw him very gently towards you, and when he sees you 

 away he flies ; let go and give him all the line you can, then 

 draw him gently again to tire him. When he is weary, you may 

 easily draw him to the bank-side and take him. Then will thy 



