TO THE READER OF THIS DISCOURSE 



BUT ESPECIALLY 



TO THE HONEST ANGLER 



I THINK fit to tell thee these following truths, that I did 

 neither undertake, nor write, nor publish, and much less 

 own, this Discourse to please myself ; and, having been 

 too easily drawn to do all to please others, as I propose 

 not the gaining of credit by this undertaking, so I would 

 not willingly lose any part of that to which I had a just 

 title before I began it, and do therefore desire and hope, 

 if I deserve not commendations, yet I may obtain pardon. 



And though this Discourse may be liable to some 

 exceptions, yet I cannot doubt but that most readers 

 may receive so much pleasure or profit by it, as may make 

 it worthy the time of their perusal, if they be not too 

 grave or too busy men. And this is all the confidence 

 that I can put on, concerning the merit of what is here 

 offered to their consideration and censure ; and if the 

 last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am resolved 

 to use it, and neglect all sour censures. 



And I wish the reader also to take notice, that in writing 

 of it I have made myself a recreation of a recreation ; 

 and that it might prove so to him, and not read dull 

 and tediously, I have in several places mixed, not any 

 scurrility, but some innocent, harmless mirth, of which, 

 if thou be a severe, sour-complexioned man, then I 

 here disallow thee to be a competent judge ; for divines 

 say, there are offences given, and offences not given but 

 taken. 



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