TO THE READER. 7 



And though this Discourse may be liable to some exceptions, yet I can- 

 not doubt but that most Readers may receive so much pleausre or profit 

 by it, as may make it worthy the time of their perusal, if they be not too 

 grave or too busy men. 7 And this is all the confidence that I can put on, 

 concerning the merit of what is here offered to their consideration and 

 censure ; and if the last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, 8 so I am 

 resolved to use it, and neglect all sour censures. 



And I wish the Reader also to take notice, that in writing of it I have 

 made myself a recreation of a recreation ; and that it might prove so to 

 him, and not read dull and tediously, I have in several places mixed, not 

 any scurrility, but some innocent, harmless mirth, of which if thou be a 

 severe, sour-complexioned man, then I here disallow thee to be a com- 

 petent judge ; for divines say, there are offences given, and offences not 

 given but taken. 



And I am the willinger to justify the pleasant part of it, because though 

 it is known I can be serious at seasonable times, yet the whole Discourse 

 is, or rather was, a picture of my own disposition, especially in such days 

 and times as I have laid aside business, and gone a-fishing with honest 

 Nat. and R. Roe ; * but they are gone, and with them most of my pleasant 

 hours, even as a shadow that passeth away and returns not. 



And next let me add this, that he that likes not the book, should like 

 the excellent picture of the Trout, and some of the other fish, which I may 

 take a liberty to commend, because they concern not myself. 



Next, let me tell the Reader, that in that which is the more useful part 

 of this Discourse, that is to say, the observations of the nature and breeding, 

 and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not so simple as not to know, that 

 a captious reader may find exceptions against something said of some of 

 these ; and therefore I must entreat him to consider, that experience 

 teaches us to know that several countries alter the time, and I think, 

 almost the manner, of fishes' breeding, but doubtless of their being in season; 

 as may appear by three rivers in Monmouthshire, namely, Severn, Wye, 

 and Usk, where Camdent observes, that in the river Wye, Salmon are in 

 season from September to April ; and we are certain, that in Thames and 

 Trent, and in most other rivers, they be in season the six hotter 

 months. 



Now for the Art of catching fish, that is to say, how to make a man 

 that was none to be an Angler by a book, he that undertakes it shall 

 undertake a harder task than Mr Hales, a most valiant and excellent 

 fencer, who in a printed book, called " A Private School of Defence," under- 

 took 9 to teach that art or science, and was laughed at for his labour. Not 



VARIATIONS. 



7 if they be not very busy men. 3^ edit. 



8 too severe, I have a liberty, and am resolved to neglect it. Ibid. 



9 b *.Ibid. 



* It has not been ascertained who these persons were, but it may be presumed that 

 they were related to Walton, for, in a presentation copy of his "Lives of Donne, Sir 

 Henry Wotton, Hooker, and Herbert, there is written by the author on the frontis- 

 piece, " For my cousin Roe." In the first and second editions of the Angler, they are 

 thus spoken of: "When honest Nat. and R. R. and I go a-fishing together;" but in the 

 third, and subsequent editions, they are mentioned as above, so that it is evident they 

 were living in 1655, and died before 1664. 



f Britannia, f. 633. 



