XXXIX 



SH >/.<? gold instead of lead, or the minera of 

 oar. 



Xoiv supposing this eminent difficulty resolved, 

 yet some will be solicitous to puzzle themselves 

 about baits and seasons ; so that I foresee it will 

 aggravate and fret their intoxicated patience : 

 Where note, such may search (as already pre- 

 noted] in the mouldy records of And rov an us, Du- 

 bravius, Gesner, or Isaac Walton, whose autho- 

 rity to me seems alike authenticity as is the gene- 

 ral opinion of the vulgar prophetick : for neither 

 all nor one of them is an oracle to me, experience 

 is my master, and angling my exercise ; yet mo- 

 derated so, that I don't always employ my self 

 with throwing in, nor haling out, as pochers do, 

 that covet more than their panniers contain ; this 

 makes the sweet of their labours unprofitable, when 

 the angler only designs diversion the final end of 

 his recreation. However, somewhat of this nature 

 is expected from me, otherwise the prejudicate will 

 conclude me ignorant, or affected with paucity : 

 but I shall prevent that suspicion, by publishing 

 to the world this Treatise of Angling ; wherein 

 the practices are manifestly divulged, though the 

 contemplative be but in part expressed. And what 

 hinders (I pray you] to withdraw sometimes from 

 the trembling si reams of Trent, to dedicate your 

 cacant hours to the shrines of solitude* ; to sit 

 upon rocks, or in shady groves ; there to content- 



