112 NORTHERN MEMOIRS. 



Tkeoph. And I'm for any bait, or any colour, 

 so that I be but doing. 



Aquil. Then I'm for the ground-bait, and 1 

 perswade myself it will turn to best account, and 

 prove most profitable to answer my expectation : 

 For with but three sorts offish we must trifle 

 our time (viz.) the active eel, the dextrous trout, 

 and the incomparable salmon ; all which will as 

 greedily pursue a worm, as a luxurious appetite 

 pursues his paunch* Bring but a brandlin, or 

 rather a gildtail, and try whether trouts be des- 

 titute of an appetite. 



Theoph. They must have good stomachs sure, 

 if they be always eating. 



Aquil. You are waggish, Theophilus, but really 

 I am serious ; for now we begin to discover those 

 silent and solitary deeps, those rapid and swift 

 falls of water, besides those stiff and strong 

 streams, that invite us to treat the family offish. 

 So that I conceive it is almost impossible to di- 

 rect a line, and miss a reward : And the bottom, 

 if you please, let us examine that with ground- 

 bait, to prove the effects of our art and skill, to 

 summons contribution from so generous an ad- 

 venture. But if mid- water we consult, then I 

 commend the canker, with the catter- pillar, or 

 the grub ; or, if with a depinged locust, you will 

 not lose your labour ; nor will you starve your 

 cause, if to strip off the legs of a grasshoper. All 



