38 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



do I hate the otter both for my own and for their 

 sakes who are of my brotherhood. 



Ven. And I am a lover of hounds ; I have fol- 

 lowed many a pack of dogs many a mile, and heard 

 many merry huntsmen make sport and scoff at 

 anglers. 



Attc. And I profess myself a falconer, and have 

 heard many grave, serious men pity them, 't is 

 such a heavy, contemptible, dull recreation. 



Pise. You know, gentlemen, 't is an easy thing 

 to scoff at any art or recreation : a little wit, mixed 

 with ill-nature, confidence, and malice, will do it ; 

 but though they often venture boldly, yet they are 

 often caught, even in their own trap, according 

 to that of Lucian, the father of the family of 

 scoffers. 



" Lucian, well skilled in scoffing, this hath writ : 

 Friend, that 's your folly, which you think your wit; 

 This you vent oft, void both of wit and fear, 

 Meaning another, when yourself you jeer." 



If to this you add what Solomon says of scoffers, 

 that they are an " abomination to mankind," let 

 him that thinks fit scoff on, and be a scoffer still ; 

 but I account them enemies to me and all that 

 love virtue and angling. 



And for you that have heard many grave, serious 

 men pity anglers, let me tell you, sir, there be many 

 men that are by others taken to be serious and 

 grave men, whom we contemn and pity : men 

 that are taken to be grave, because nature hath 



