chap, xxi.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 261 



for the ninth of May, for then I hope again to enjoy 

 your beloved company at the appointed time and 

 place. And now I wish for some somniferous po- 

 tion, that might force me to sleep away the inter- 

 mitted time, which will pass away with me as 

 tediously, as it does with men in sorrow ; never- 

 theless I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes 

 and wishes. And my good Master, I will not for- 

 get the doctrine which you told me Socrates taught 

 his Scholars, that they should not think to be 

 honoured so much for being Philosophers, as to 

 honour Philosophy by their virtuous lives. You 

 advised me to the like concerning Angling, and 

 I will endeavour to do so, and to live like those 

 many worthy men, of which you made mention in 

 the former part of your discourse. This is my firm 

 resolution. And as a pious man advised his friend, 

 that, to beget mortification, he should frequent 

 churches, and view monuments, and charnel-houses, 

 and then, and there consider, how many dead bones 

 Time had piled up at the gates of Death : So when 

 I would beget content, and increase confidence in 

 the power, and wisdom, and providence, of Almightv 

 God, I will walk the meadows by some gliding 

 stream, and there contemplate the lilies that take 

 no care, and those very many other various little 

 living-creatures, that are not only created, but fed, 

 man knows not how, by the goodness of the God 

 of Nature, and therefore trust in him. This is my 

 purpose ; and so, " Let every thing that hath breath 



