4 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



therefore, do I hate the otter, both for my own and 

 their sakes who are of my brotherhood. 



Ven. And I am a lover of hounds ; I have fol- 

 lowed many a pack of dogs many a mile, and heard 

 many merry huntsmen make sport and scoff at 

 Anglers. 



Auc. And I profess myself a Falconer, and have 

 heard many grave, serious, men pity them, 'tis such 

 a heavy, contemptible, dull recreation. 



Pise. You know, Gentlemen, 'tis an easy thing 

 to scoff at any art or recreation : a little wit mixed 

 with ill-nature, confidence, and malice, will do it ; 

 but though they often venture boldly, yet they are 

 often caught, even in their own trap, according to 

 that of Lucian, the father of the family of Scoffers. 



Lucian, xoell skilVd in scoffing, this hath writ, 

 Friend, that's your folly tvhich you think your wit : 

 This you vent oft, void both of wit and fear, 

 Meaning another, when yourself you jeer. 



If to this you add what Solomon says of Scoffers, 

 that " they are an abomination to mankind," Prov. 

 xxiv. 9, let him that thinks fit, scoff on, and be a 

 scoffer still ; but I account them enemies to me, and 

 to all that love virtue and Angling. 



And for you that have heard many grave serious 

 men pity Anglers ; let me tell you, Sir, there be 

 many men that are by others taken to be serious 

 and grave men, which we contemn and pity. Men 

 that are taken to be grave, because nature hath 



