THE ANGLER AND HUNTSMAN 19 



plete" for our day and age, it was probably "complete" for 

 the needs of the troublous times of Oliver Cromwell, in 

 which Walton lived. This book was written in the form 

 of a dialogue between Piscator and Venator, the former 

 representing the master angler and philosopher, the latter 

 his apt and willing scholar or pupil. 



In order to convey to the reader the full measure of 

 \Valton 's matchless art in his description of things natural, 

 it is best that we include excerpts from his book, "The 

 Compleat Angler," as follows: 



Piscator sir, doubt not that angling is an art; is it 

 not an art to deceive a trout with an artificial 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; and yet I doubt not to catch a brace 

 or two tomorrow for a friend's breakfast. Doubt not, 

 therefore, sir, but that angling is an art, and an art w r orth 

 your learning. The question is, rather, whether you be cap-' 

 able of learning it? For angling is somewhat like poetry- 

 men are to be born so ; I mean, with inclinations to it, though 

 both may be heightened by discourse and practice; but he 

 that hopes to be a good angler must not only bring an in- 

 quiring, searching, observing wit, but he must bring a large 

 measure of hope and patience, and a love and propensity to 

 the art itself; but having once got and practiced it, then 

 doubt not but angling will prove to be so pleasant that it 

 will prove to be like virtue, a reward to itself. 



Venator Sir, I am now become so full of expectation, 

 that I long much to have you proceed, and in the order you 

 propose. 



Piscator Then first, for the antiquity of angling, of 

 which I shall not say much, but only this: some say it is as 

 ancient as Deucalion's flood; others that Belus, who was 

 the first inventor of godly and virtuous recreations, was 

 the first inventor of angling; and some others say for 

 former times have had their disquisitions about the an- 



