io8 , The Complete Angler 



monstrated as it is by that learned man, has made 

 me to believe that Eels unbed themselves and stir at 

 the noise of thunder, and not only, as some think, i 

 by the motion or stirring of the earth which is oc- 

 casioned by that thunder. 



And this reason of Sir Francis Bacon has made me 

 crave pardon of one that I laughed at for affirming 

 that he knew Carps come to a certain place, in a pond, 

 to be fed at the ringing of a bell or the beating of a 

 drum. And, however, it shall be a rule for me to 

 make as little noise as I can when I am fishing, un- 

 til Sir Francis Bacon be confuted, which I shall give 

 any man leave to do. 



And lest you may think him singular in this 

 opinion, I will tell you, this seems to be believed by 

 our learned Doctor Hakewill, who in his Apology of 

 Gods power and providence, quotes Pliny torcpoTt 

 that one of the emperors had particular fish-ponds, 

 and, in them, several fish that appeared and came 

 when they were called by their particular names. 

 And St James tells us, that all things in the sea 

 have been tamed by mankind. And Pliny tells us, ! i 

 that Antonia, the wife of Drusus, had a Lamprey at 

 whose gills she hung jewels or ear-rings ; and that 

 others have been so tender-hearted as to shed tears 

 at the death of fishes which they have kept and loved. 

 And these observations, which will to most hearers 

 seem wonderful, seem to have a further confirma- 

 tion from Martial, who writes thus : 



Piscator^fuge; ne nocens^etc. 



Angler I would'st thou be guiltless ? then forbear ; 

 For these are sacred fishes that swim here, 

 Who know their sovereign, and will lick his hand, 

 Than which none's greater in the world's command ; 

 Nay more they've names, and, when they called are, 

 Do to their several owner's call repair. 



