128 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



And this reason of Sir Francis Bacon, Exper. 792, 

 has made me crave pardon of one that I laughed at 

 for affirming', that he knew Carps come to a certain 

 place in a pond, to he fed, at the ringing of a bell, 

 or the beating of a drum : and, however, it shall be 

 a rule for me to make as little noise as I can when 

 I am fishing, until Sir Francis Bacon be confuted ; 

 which I shall give any man leave to do. 



And, lest you may think him singular in this 

 opinion, I will tell you, this seems to be believed 

 by our learned Doctor Hakewill, who in his Apology 

 of God's Poicer and Providence, fol. 360, quotes Pliny 

 to report, that one of the Emperors had particular 

 fish-ponds, and in them several fish, that appeared 

 and came when they were called by their particular 

 names. And St. James tells us, Chap. hi. 7, that 

 all things in the sea have been tamed by mankind. 

 And Pliny tells us, Lib. ix. 35, that Antonia, the wife 

 of Drusus, had a Lamprey, at whose gills she hung 

 jewels or ear-rings : and that others have been so 

 tender-hearted, as to shed tears at the death of 

 fishes which they have kept and loved. And these 

 observations, which will to most hearers seem won- 

 derful, seem to have a further confirmation from 

 Martial, Lib. iv. Epigr. 30, who writes thus : 



Piscator fuge ne nocens, etc. 



Angler, would 'st thou be guiltless ? then forbear , 

 For these are sacred fishes that swim here ; 

 Who know their sovereign, and will lick his hand: 

 Than which none's greater in the world's command : 



