THE COMPLETE ANGLER 39 



is made also of fish-hooks, which must imply anglers in 

 those times. 



But, my worthy friend, as I would rather prove myself 

 a gentleman, by being learned and humble, valiant and 

 inoffensive, virtuous and communicable, than by any 

 fond ostentation of riches ; or, wanting those virtues 

 myself, boast that these were in my ancestors (and yet I 

 grant that where a noble and ancient descent, and such 

 merit meet in any man, it is a double dignification of that 

 person) ; so if this antiquity of angling, which for my part 

 I have not forced, shall, like an ancient family, be either 

 an honour or an ornament to this virtuous art which I 

 profess to love and practise, I shall be the gladder that I 

 made an accidental mention of the antiquity of it, of 

 which I shall say no more, but proceed to that just com- 

 mendation which I think it deserves. 



And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient times 

 a debate hath arisen, and it remains yet unresolved : 

 whether the happiness of man in this world, doth consist 

 more in contemplation or action ? 



Concerning which, some have endeavoured to maintain 

 their opinion of the first ; by saying, that the nearer we 

 mortals come to God by way of imitation, the more happy 

 we are. And they say that God enjoys Himself only, by 

 a contemplation of His own infmiteness, eternity, power, 

 and goodness, and the like. And upon this ground, many 

 cloisteral men of great learning and devotion, prefer con- 

 templation before action. And many of the fathers seem 

 to approve this opinion, as may appear in their com- 

 mentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha 

 (Luke x. 41, 42). 



And on the contrary, there want not men of equal 

 authority and credit, that prefer action to be the more 

 excellent ; as namely, experiments in physic, and the 

 application of it, both for the ease and prolongation of 

 man's life ; by which each man is enabled to act and do 



