SDetiicatiom 



TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 



JOHN OFFLEY, 



OF MADELEY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF STAF- 

 FORD, ESQ. 



MY MOST HONORED FRIEND : 



SIR, I have made so ill use of your former 

 favors as by them to be encouraged to entreat that 

 they may be enlarged to the patronage and protec- 

 tion of this book. And I have put on a modest con- 

 fidence that I shall not be denied, because it is a 

 Discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you know so 

 well, and both love and practise so much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of 

 another belief, that Angling is an art, and you know 

 that art better than others; and that this truth is de- 

 monstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labor which 

 you enjoy when you purpose to give rest to your 

 mind, and divest yourself of your more serious busi- 

 ness, and, which is often, dedicate a day or two to 

 this recreation. 



At which time, if common anglers should attend 

 you, and be eyewitnesses of the success not of your 

 fortune but your skill, it would doubtless beget in 

 them an emulation to be like you, and that emulation 



