chap, in.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 291 



that it may not be too troublesome to you, I 

 would entreat you would run through the whole 

 body of it ; and I will not conceal from you, that 

 I am so far in love with you, your courtesy, and 

 pretty Moreland seat, as to resolve to stay with vou 

 long enough by intervals ; for I will not oppress 

 you, to hear all you can say upon that subject. 



Pise. You cannot oblige me more than by such 

 a promise. And, therefore, without more ceremony 

 I will begin to tell you, that my Father Walton 

 having read to you before, it would look like a pre- 

 sumption in me, and peradventure would do so in 

 any other man, to pretend to give lessons for Ang- 

 ling after him who, I do really believe, under- 

 stands as much of it, at least, as any man in England ; 

 did I not pre-acquaint you, that I am not tempted 

 to it by any vain opinion of myself, that I am able 

 to give you better directions ; but, having from my 

 childhood pursued the recreation of Angling in 

 very clear rivers, truly I think by much, some of 

 them at least, the clearest in this kingdom, and the 

 manner of Angling here with us, by reason of that 

 exceeding clearness, being something different from 

 the method commonly used in others, which, bv 

 being not near so bright, admit of stronger tackle, 

 and allow a nearer approach to the stream ;■ — I 

 may, peradventure, give you some instructions, that 

 may be of use even in your own rivers ; and shall 

 bring you acquainted with more flies, and shew 



