194 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [part i. 



surely, and baste him with water and salt till his 

 skin breaks, and then with butter : and having 

 roasted him enough, let what was put into his belly, 

 and what he drips, be his sauce. S. F. 



When I go to dress an Eel thus, I wish he were 

 as long and big as that which was caught in Peter- 

 borough river in the year 1667, which was a yard 

 and three quarters long. If you will not believe 

 me, then go and see at one of the coffee-houses in 

 King -street in Westminster. 



But now let me tell you, that though the Eel 

 thus dressed be not only excellent good, but more 

 harmless than any other way, yet it is certain, that 

 physicians account the Eel dangerous meat ; I will 

 advise you therefore, as Solomon says of honey, 

 Prov. xxv. 16, " Hast thou found it, eat no more 

 " than is sufficient, lest thou surfeit, for it is not 

 " good to eat much honey." And let me add this, 

 that the uncharitable Italian bids us, " give Eels, 

 " and no Wine to our Enemies." 



And I will beg a little more of your attention to 

 tell you, that Aldrovandus and divers physicians, 

 commend the Eel very much for medicine, though 

 not for meat. But let me tell you one observation ; 

 that the Eel is never out of season, as Trouts and 

 most other fish are at set times ; at least most Eels 

 are not. 



I might here speak of many other fish whose 

 shape and nature are much like the Eel, and fre- 



