The Address to the Reader. 131 



that I can put on concerning the merit 

 of what is here offered to their considera- 

 tion and censure ; and if the last prove 

 too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am 

 resolv'd to use it and neglect all sowre 

 Censures. 



" And I wish the Reader also to take 

 notice, that in writing of it I have made 

 my self a recreation of a recreation ; and 

 that it might prove so to him, and not read 

 dull and tediously I have in several places 

 mixt (not any scurrility, but) some inno- 

 cent harmless mirth ; of which, if thou be 

 a severe, sowre-complexioned man, then 

 I here disallow thee to be a competent 

 judge ; for Divines say, There are offences 

 given, and offences not given but taken. 



" And I am the wit 1 linger to jitstifie the 

 pleasant part of it, because though it is 

 known I can be serious at seasonable times, 

 yet the whole discourse is, or_rather^ was, 

 a picture of my own disposition, especially 

 in such days and times as I have laid aside 

 business, and gone a fishing with honest 

 Nat. and R. Roe ; but they are gone, and 

 with them most of my pleasant hours, even 

 as a shadow, that passeth away, and 

 returns not. 



"And next let me add this, that he 

 that likes not the book, should like the 

 excellent picture of the Trout, and some 



