THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 53 



as namely the whale, 1 three times as big as the 

 mighty elephant, that is so fierce in battle, but that 

 the mightiest feasts have been offish. The Romans, 

 in the height of their glory, have made fish the 

 mistress of all their entertainments ; they have had 

 music to usher in their sturgeons, lampreys, and 

 mullets, which they would purchase at rates rather 

 to be wondered at than believed. He that shall 

 view the writings of Macrobius or Varro may be 

 confirmed and informed of this, and of the in- 

 credible value of their fish and fish-ponds. 



But, gentlemen, I have almost lost myself, which 

 I confess I may easily do in this philosophical dis- 

 course ; I met with most of it very lately, and I 

 hope happily, in a conference with a most learned 

 physician, Dr. Wharton, a dear friend, that loves 

 both me and my art of angling. But, however, I 

 will wade no deeper in these mysterious arguments, 

 but pass to such observations as I can manage with 

 more pleasure, and less fear of running into error. 

 But I must not yet forsake the waters, by whose 

 help we have so many advantages. 



And, first, to pass by the miraculous cures of our 

 known baths, how advantageous is the sea for our 

 daily traffic, without which we could not now sub- 

 sist ! How does it not only furnish us with food 

 and physic for the bodies, but with such observa- 



l We may observe here, once for all, that we shall not pay the 

 reader the poor compliment of pointing out Walton's frequent er- 

 rors as to elementary facts of natural history. His credulity in 

 these matters is sometimes surprising. 



