THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY 



TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 



JOHN OFFLEY, ESQ., 



OF MADELEY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD 

 MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND, 



SIR, I have made so ill use of your former favours, as 

 by them to be encouraged to entreat, that they may be 

 enlarged to the patronage and protection of this book : 

 and I have put on a modest confidence, that, I shall 

 not be denied, because it is a discourse of fish and fishing, 

 which you know so well, and both love and practise so 

 much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of 

 another belief, that angling is an art : and you know that 

 art better than others ; and that this truth is demon- 

 strated by the fruits of that pleasant labour which you 

 enjoy, when you purpose to give rest to your mind, 

 and divest yourself of your more serious business, and 

 (which is often) dedicate a day or two to this recreation. 



At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, 

 and be eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune but 

 your skill, it would doubtless beget in them an emulation 

 to be like you, and that emulation might beget an 

 industrious diligence to be so ; but I know it is not 

 attainable by common capacities. And there be now 

 many men of great wisdom, learning, and experience, 

 which love and practise this art, that know I speak the 

 truth. 



100 A * 9 



3757 



