THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. lv 



reputed men of great learning and wisdom ; and, 

 amongst those of this nation, I remember Sir 

 Henry Wotton, a dear lover of this Art, has told 

 me that his intentions were to write a Discourse 

 of the Art, and in praise of Angling. And doubt- 

 less he had done so, if death had not prevented 

 him ; the remembrance of which hath often 

 made me sorry : for, if he had lived to do it, then 

 the unlearned Angler had seen some better 

 Treatise of this Art, a Treatise that might have 

 proved worthy his perusal ; which, though some 

 have undertaken, I could never yet see in 

 English. 



But mine may be thought as weak, and as 

 unworthy of common view : and I do here freely 

 confess that I should rather excuse myself, than 

 censure others, my own discourse being liable 

 to so many exceptions ; against which, you, Sir, 

 might make this one, — That it can contribute 

 nothing to your knowledge. And, lest a longer 

 Epistle may diminish your pleasure,! shall make 



