26 The Complete Angler 



only of the antiquity of Angling, but that it deserves 

 commendations ; and that it is an art, and an art 

 worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



VENATOR. Pray, Sir, speak of them what you 

 think fit, for we have yet five miles to the Thatched 

 House ; during which walk, I dare promise you, my 

 patience and diligent attention shall not be wanting/ 

 And if you shall make that to appear which you 

 have undertaken, first, that it is an art, and an art 

 worth the learning, I shall beg that I may. attend 

 you a day or two a-fishing, and that I may become 

 your scholar, and be instructed in the art itself which 

 you so much magnify. 



PlSCATOR. O, Sir, doubt not but that Angling is 

 an art ; is it not an art to deceive a Trout with an 

 artificial Fly ? a Trout ! that is more sharp-sighted 

 than any Hawk you have named, and more watch- 

 ful and timorous than your high-mettled Merlin is 

 bold ? and yet, I doubt not to catch a brace or two 

 to-morrow, for a friend's breakfast : doubt not there- 

 fore, Sir, but that angling is an art, and an art worth 

 your learning. The question is rather, whether you 

 be capable of learning it ? for angling is somewhat 

 like poetry, men are to be born so : I mean, with 

 inclinations to it, though both may be heightened 

 by discourse and practice : but he that hopes to be 

 a good angler, must not only bring an inquiring, 

 searching, observing wit, but he must bring a large 

 - measure of hope and patience, and a love and pro- 

 pensity to the art itself; but having once got and 

 practised it, then doubt not but angling will prove 

 to be so pleasant, that it will prove to be, like virtue, 

 a reward to itself. 



VENATOR. Sir, I am* now become so full of ex- 

 pectation, that 1 long much to have you proceed, 

 and in the order that you propose. 



PlSCATOR. Then first, for the antiquity of An- 



