22 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



want time nor my attention to hear you enlarge 

 your discourse concerning Hunting. 



Ven. Not I Sir ; I remember you said that 

 Angling itself was of great antiquity, and a perfect 

 art, and an art not easily attained to ; and you have 

 so won upon me in your former discourse, that I 

 am very desirous to hear what you can say further 

 concerning those particulars. 



Pise. Sir, I did say so, and I doubt not but if 

 you and I did converse together but a few hours, to 

 leave you possessed with the same high and happy 

 thoughts that now possess me of it ; not only of the 

 antiquity of Angling, but that it deserves commen- 

 dations, and that it is an art, and an art worthy the 

 knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



Ven. 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 un- 

 dertaken ; 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. 



Pise. O, Sir, doubt not but that Angling is an 

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

 tificial 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 



