290 APPENDIX TO THE 



It is not, however, merely as a literary curiosity that this treatise is of 

 interest, for independently of the information which it contains of the state 

 of Angling at the period in which it was written, there are some grounds 

 for presuming that it suggested to Walton the idea of his " Complete 

 Angler," for the most superficial reader cannot fail to be struck with the 

 general resemblance between them. " The Treatyse of Fysshynge wyth 

 an Angle," commences with some observations, which are remarkable for 

 their truth and simplicity ; and after comparing the pursuits of Hunting, 

 Hawking, and Fowling, with that of Angling, the preference is of course 

 given to the latter. Then follow instructions for making tackle, rods, baits, 

 &c., and a description of the most skilful manner of using them, together 

 with an account of the various kinds of river fish, and their respective 

 merits as food ; and the treatise is concluded by some admirable rules for 

 the conduct of Anglers towards each other, and towards those whose lands 

 they frequent, an observance of which, it is emphatically added, would 

 secure ' ' the blessing of God and Saint Peter which he them grant that 

 with his precious blood us bought." 



Thus it is manifest, that in the most important features, Walton has 

 closely followed the treatise, and although he has much enlarged upon it, 

 and introduced his remarks in a dialogue, there is so great a similarity 

 between them, as to justify the opinion, that if the original idea of his work 

 xvas not derived from this tract, he was indebted to it in an eminent degree. 

 In piety and virtue, in the inculcation of morality, in an ardent love for 

 their art, and still more, in that placid and Christian spirit, for which the 

 amiable Walton was so conspicuous, the early writer was scarcely inferior 

 to his more celebrated successor. Nor ought the suggestion to offend the 

 admirers of the latter, that judging from their writings upon the same 

 subject, and making a proper allowance for the different state of manners 

 in the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries, it would be difficult to find two 

 more kindred spirits than the authors of "The Treatyse of Fysshynge 

 wyth an Angle," and of " The Complete Angler." 



" Here beginneth the Treatise of Fishing with an Angle. Solomon in 

 his parables saith that a good spirit maketh a flowering age, that is, a fair 

 age and a long. And, sith it is so : I ask this question, which be the 

 means and the causes that induce a man into a merry spirit ? Truly, to 

 my best discretion, it seemeth good disports and honest games in whom a 

 man joyeth without any repentance after. Then followeth it that good 

 disports and honest games be cause of man's fair age and long life. And, 

 therefore, now will I choose of four good disports and honest games, that 

 is to wit : of hunting, hawking, fishing, and fowling. The best to my 

 simple discretion which is fishing ; called angling with a rod, and a line 

 and a hook. And thereof to treat as my simple wit may suffice ; both for 

 the said reason of Solomon, and also for the reason that physic maketh in 

 this wise. Si tibi cleficiant medici, medici tibi fiant : hec tria mens laeta 

 labor et moderata dieta. Ye shall understand that this is for to say, if a 

 man lack leech or medicine he shall make three things his leech and medi- 

 cine, and he shall need never no more. The first of them is a merry 

 thought ; the second is labour not outrageous ; the third is diet measurable. 

 First, that if a man will evermore be in merry thoughts and have a glad 

 spirit, he must eschew all contrarious company, and all places of debate, 

 where he might have any occasions of melancholy ; and if he will have a 

 labour not outrageous, he must then ordain him, to his heart's ease and 



