84 NOUTHEIIN MEMOIRS. 



lost a line, as compleat a line as art could pro- 

 portion ; it's well you kept your rod, for I'le as- 

 sure you it's exactly taper'd, and as streight and 

 plient as ever flourish' d a fly to facilitate death 

 by dexterity: But this artificial novel you lost 

 but now, gives no more satisfaction to a voraci- 

 ous appetite, than a witch's banquet ; or the un- 

 limited desires of a wretched usurer, who never 

 desists the pursuit of riches, till tantaliz'd, like 

 your game, to death with a trifle. 



And now, Theophilus, I must reprove your 

 precipitancy, because a great error in young 

 anglers. Patience must be moderated to pro- 

 mote the art, and time procrastinated to pro- 

 claim the angler an artist. These precepts I 

 have laid down oftner than once, always pro- 

 vided your swim be clear, your line long, and 

 strong enough ; then shall you see the fruits of 

 your labour, and the fish himself act the part 

 of a felon, that puts a knife to his own throat, 

 wherewith he secretly murders himself ; and 

 that this desperado had certainly done, upon ex- 

 change of elements, so become his own execu- 

 tioner ; who, beyond dispute, had struggled to 

 strangle himself, which, without difficulty, is 

 easily and the more expeditiously done, by fre- 

 quently but cautiously exposing him to air ; for 

 that suffocates his vitals, whereby he necessarily 

 falls under very fatal consequents. And how 



