24 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



precious knowledge, and those useful arts ■which by 

 God's appointment or allowance and his noble in- 

 dustry, were thereby preserved from perishing in 

 Noah's flood. 



These, Sir, have been the opinions of several men, 

 that have possibly endeavoured to make Angling 

 more ancient than is needful, or may well be war- 

 ranted ; but for my part, I shall content myself in 

 telling you, that Angling is much more ancient than 

 the Incarnation of our Saviour ; for in the Prophet 

 Amos mention is made of fish-hooks ; and in the 

 Book of Job, which was long before the days of 

 Amos, for that book is said to be writ by Moses, 

 mention is made also of fish-hooks, which must im- 

 ply Anglers in those times. 



But, my worthy friend, as I would rather prove 

 myself a gentleman by being learned and humble, 

 valiant and inoffensive, virtuous and communicable, 

 than by any fond ostentation of riches, or wanting 

 those virtues myself, boast that these were in my 

 ancestors, — and yet I grant that where a noble and 

 ancient descent and such merits meet in any man, 

 it is a double dignification of that person : — so if 

 this antiquity of Angling, which for my part I have 

 not forced, shall, like an ancient family, be either 

 an honour or an ornament to this virtuous art which 

 I profess to love and practise, I shall be the gladder 

 that I made an accidental mention of the antiquity 

 of it ; of which I shall say no more, but proceed to 

 that just commendation which I think it deserves. 



