XXXV11 



Then the next question arising will be, whether 

 the rod or the net is rather to be approved of? I 

 have only this to answer, (since both contribute to 

 health and maintenance,) the apostles themselves 

 they used the one, why then may not the angler 

 plead far the other ? 



Thus far I enter the angler's list, and resolve 

 to encounter this critical age by promulgating 

 the series of the art of angling. But to shape 

 out rods, twist lines, and appropriate times and 

 seasons, with variety of waters, and sutability of 

 baits ; a# also the making of instruments, arming 

 of hooks, forming the accurate proportion of flies, 

 shaping of corks, staining of quills, forming of 

 swivels, and drawing out wiers, besides casting of 

 plumbs, and moulding of shot, I resolve against ; 

 for its nothing my business, though a task neither 

 intricate nor tedious to the several and various 

 artificers pregnant in the art. For that end you 

 may dedicate your opinion to what scribling pu- 

 tationer you please ; the Compleat Angler, if you 

 will, who tells you of a tedious fly story, extrava- 

 gantly collected from antiquated authors, such as 

 Gesner, Dubravius, 8*c. but I rather commend 

 you to famous Isaac Owldham, whose experiences 

 sprung from the Academy of Trent : so did that 

 eminent angler, George Merrils ; and as eminent 

 as he was John Fawlkncr, whose known abilities 



