THE GENERAL HISTORY OF ANGLING, ETC. 11 



to the tyro. Walton, in 1653, published his " Complete Angler, " which, 

 as all readers are aware, has not been surpassed by any to this time 

 for its unfeigned enthusiasm in reference to matters piscatorial and the 

 ardent love of nature shown on every page. 



The art of fishing at the time of the production of this book was at a 

 low standard, compared with its present position as an art, nevertheless 

 there is very little in Walton's book to be repudiated, and many of his 

 angling " wrinkles " are replete with a true knowledge of the habits 

 of fish. Indeed, it is this latter quality which renders the book of 

 value to the angler, and as an example I am bold enough to assert that 

 the description of the habits of the trout is, as a piece of real ichthyolo- 

 gical knowledge, not surpassed by any succeeding writer. 



To show the difference between some ancient ideas in reference to 

 the proper times for angling and our own ideas, I may be allowed to 

 quote from an old book in my possession (without a title page), which 

 is probably a compilation with a little superadded matter from Gervase 

 Markham or Leonard Mascall, in reference to the bearing which 

 astrology was supposed to have had on angling. This old author 

 thus gives his opinions, under the title of "Astrological Elections 

 for Angling in General": "If, as the wise man saith (and I think 

 that there is none which dare question his authority) that there is a 

 proper time and season for every action under the sun, I hope it 

 will not be offensive nor impertinent to show what time and seasons 

 the intelligent angler ought to make choice of that may answer his 

 expectation. For my part I have so often experienced the truth of 

 these rules, that by good will I would never angle but at an elected 

 time; the ingenious will not despise them, and for others they are 

 not intended. And they are these : 



If you would Nep'une's scaly subjects get, 

 Night's horned queen in the mid heaven set, 

 Thence lee her in the Paphian goddess shine 

 I' th' west, and grreet her with a friendly time. 

 Be sure you always fortify the east, 

 And let the maiden star possess the west. 

 However, let some aquatick sis-ri ascend, 

 And let all power his happy lord attend ; 

 Then see the setting constellation be 

 Afflicted by some hateful enemy. 

 At least hid lord the sixth with strength defend, 

 Let active pow^r his radiant lor.l attend ; 

 Then you may boldly venture to the flood, 

 And take from thence what fishes vou see good. 



The reader skilled in the use of the astrologe may be able to 

 elucidate this quaint piece of rhyme, but I confess I am not. The 

 directions of a modern author in reference to the best fishing weather 

 are briefly given for comparison, and serve to show how the art has been 

 reduced to simple unequivocal rules from observations of weather 

 chiefly unconnected with the stellar worlds. Eonalds, in the " Flyfishers* 



