XIV 



short, I shall satisfy my self (as if already 

 confirmed) that you'l please to embarque in 

 these my solitary examinations of those ri- 

 vers and rivulets in England and Scotland, 

 where the fields in winter are paved with 

 frost ; yet are the meadows in summer- 

 time beautified with greens, and deck'd and 

 adorn'd with redolent sweets, that perfume 

 the air, whose delightful fords are furnish- 

 ed with trout ; and to advance recreation, 

 the generous race of salmon : an entertain- 

 ment perhaps not every where understood, 

 nor is it by every angler (I perswade my 

 self) throughly examined. 



But, gentlemen, I have brought you some- 

 what else ; which, for ought I know, may 

 prove a friendly diversion, if you please to 

 inspect this narrative and survey of Scot- 

 land, where perhaps you'l meet with such 

 entertainment, as may not only benefit, but 

 in some measure delight you, after your ex- 

 ercise of fishing for trout. What then if you 

 step from the water-side, and contemplate 

 nature ; so raising your scenes, you'l ad- 

 mire the Creator, in his rare and admirable 



