xx INTRODUCTORY ESSAY. 



and shall need to make no further apology ; a writing of this kind 

 not requiring, if I were master of any sueh thing, any eloquence to 

 set it off, or recommend it; so that if you, in your better judgment, 

 or kindness rather, can allow it passable, for a thingof this nature, 

 you will then do ine honour, if the Cypher, fixed and carved in the 

 front of my little fishing-house, may be here explained: and to per- 

 mit me to attend you in public, who, in private, have ever been, 

 am, and ever resolve to be, Sir, 



Your most affectionate Son and Servant, 



Beresford, 

 10th of March, 167| ■ 



To my most honoured Friend, Charles Cotton, Esq. 



Sir, 



L ou now see I have returned you your very pleasant and useful 

 discourse of the Art of Fly-fishing, printed just as it was sent me: 

 for I have been so obedient to your desires, as to endure all the 

 praises you have ventured to fix upon me in it. And, when I have 

 thanked you forthem, as theeffectsof anundissembledlove; then, 

 let me tell you, Sir, that I will really endeavour to live up to the 

 character you have given of me ; if there were no other reason , yet, 

 for this alone, that you, that love me so well, and always think 

 what you speak, may not, for my sake, suffer by a mistake in your 

 judgement. 



And, Sir, I have ventured to fill a part of your margin, by way 

 of paraphrase, for the reader's clearer understanding the situation, 

 both of your Fishing-house, and the pleasantness of that you 

 dwell in. And I have ventured also to give him a copy of verses 

 that you were pleased to send me, now some years past; in which 

 he may see a good picture of both; and so much of your own mind 



