56 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Pise. Sir, I did say so, and I doubt not but if 

 you and I did converse together but a few hours, 

 to leave you possessed with the same high and 

 happy thoughts that now possess me of it, not 

 only of the antiquity of angling, but that it de- 

 serves commendations ; and that it is an art, and 

 an art worthy the knowledge and practice of a 

 wise man. 



Ven. Pray, sir, speak of them what you think 

 fit, for we have yet five miles to the Thatched 

 House, during which walk I dare promise you my 

 patience and diligent attention shall not be want- 

 ing. And if you shall make that to appear which 

 you have undertaken, first, that it is an art, and 

 an art worth the learning, I shall beg that I may 

 attend you a day or two a-fishing, and that I may 

 become your scholar and be instructed in the art 

 itself which you so much magnify. 



Pise. Oh, sir, doubt not but that angling is an 

 art. Is it not an art to deceive a trout with an arti- 

 ficial fly ? a trout that is more sharp-sighted than 

 any hawk you have named, and more watchful and 

 timorous than your high-mettled merlin is bold ? 1 

 and yet I doubt not to catch a brace or two to- 

 morrow, for a friend's breakfast. Doubt not, there- 

 fore, sir, but that angling is an art, and an art 

 worth your learning. The question is, rather, 

 whether you be capable of learning it? for angling 



1 This is a mistake : it was Auceps, and not Venator, that 

 named the hawks ; and Auceps had before taken his leave of 

 these his companions. 



