228 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



green, are a choice bait for him ; and so is cheese, 

 which is not to be too hard, but kept a day or two 

 in a wet linen cloth to make it tough. With this 

 you may also bait the water a day or two before 

 you fish for the barbel, and be much the likelier to 

 catch store ; and if the cheese were laid in clarified 

 honey a short time before, as namely an hour or 

 two, you were still the likelier to catch fish. Some 

 have directed to cut the cheese into thin pieces 

 and toast it, and then tie it on the hook with fine 

 silk ; and some advise to fish for the barbel with 

 sheep's tallow and soft cheese beaten or worked 

 into a paste, and that it is choicely good in Au- 

 gust, and I believe it : but doubtless the lob-worm 

 well scoured, and the gentle not too much scoured, 

 and cheese ordered as I have directed, are baits 

 enough ; and I think will serve in any month, 

 though I shall commend any angler that tries con- 

 clusions, and is industrious to improve the art. And 

 now, my honest scholar, the long shower and my 

 tedious discourse are both ended together ; and I 

 shall give you but this observation, that when you 

 fish for a barbel your rod and line be both long 

 and of good strength ; for, as I told you, you will 

 find him a heavy and a dogged fish to be dealt 

 withal, yet he seldom or never breaks his hold if 

 he be once strucken. And if you would know 

 more of fishing for the umber or barbel, get into 

 favor with Dr. Sheldon, whose skill is above others ; 

 and of that the poor that dwell about him have a 

 comfortable experience. And now let 's go and 



