THE LITERATURE OF FLY FISHING. 201 



Tackles, and was at my time appointed for 

 service. For these three Flies, with the help 

 of the Lob- worms, serve to Angle all the year 

 long, observing the times, as I have shewed in 

 this nights work : a light Flie for darkness, the 

 red Flie in medio, and a dark Flie for light- 

 nesse.' 



The following quotation, from the dedication 

 to Edward Lord Montague, who was after- 

 wards Earl of Sandwich and Pepys' patron, 

 shows Barker at his most whimsical : 

 'Noble Lord, 



'Under favour I will complement and put a 

 case to your Honour. I met with a man, and 

 upon our discourse he fell out with me, having 

 a good weapon, but neither stomach nor skil; 

 I say this man may come home by Weeping 

 cross, I will cause the Clerk to toll his knell. 

 It is the very like case to the gentleman Angler 

 that goeth to the River for his pleasure : this 

 Angler hath neither judgement nor experience, 

 he may come home light laden at his leisure/ 



The book, as was usual in the seventeenth 

 century, had many introductory verses; per- 

 haps these lines are worth disinterring : 



Cards, Dice, and Tables pick thy purse ; 



Drinking and Drabbing bring a curse. 

 Hawking and Hunting spend thy chink ; 



Bowling and Shooting end in drink. 

 The fighting-Cock, and the Horse-race 



Will sink a good Estate apace. 

 Angling doth bodyes exercise, 



N 



