Vll 



for, unhappily, it never has fallen to my lot to 

 " present any Hooks to any Noble Lord ; nor 

 have I ever been u pressed by strangers" (no, 

 nor by friends either) " to favour the public 

 with the result of my experience." But, to make 

 up for such deficiencies, I offer to my reader se- 

 veral original communications, and such a com- 

 plete arrangement of the subject, as cannot fail to 

 lead the Learner, and that too in a rational and 

 pleasing manner, towards the goal of Piscatorial 

 Science. 



I have not servilely copied from any man ; but 

 where my experience has justified a concurrence 

 with the practices of others, I have adopted 

 them, and now, by insertion in my Volume, give 

 them all due praise. 



Although many versed in Ichthyology may 

 fully comprehend what is said of various Fishes, 

 and though the practised Angler may not stand 

 in want of the aid of illustration, yet I trust the 

 young Student in this Art, will not consider the 

 several Plates annexed to my Treatise as super- 

 fluous ; for even this amusement is replete with 

 finesse, and will always be followed with most 

 success by such as have a knowledge of Mathe- 

 matics, or at least a turn for Mechanism. 



My labours were not intended for the use of 

 those who, regardless both of law and of decency, 

 trespass on the rights and properties of others by 

 nefarious practices. Nor do I wish the price of 



my 



