CHAP. I. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 99 



to usher in their Sturgeons, Lampreys, and Mallets, 

 which they would purchase at rates, rather to be 

 wondered at than believed. He that shall view the 

 writings of Macrobius* orVarrot, maybe confirmed 

 and informed of this, and of the incredible value of 

 their fish and fish-ponds. 



But, Gentlemen, I have almost lost myself, which 

 I confess I may easily do in this philosophical dis- 

 course ; I met with most of it very lately, and, I 

 hope, happily, in a conference with a most learned 

 physician, Dr. Wharton J, a dear friend, that loves 

 both me and my art of angling. But however, I 

 will wade no deeper in these mysterious arguments, 

 but pass to such observations as I can manage with 

 more pleasure, and less fear of running into error. 

 But I must not yet forsake the waters, by whose help 

 we have so many advantages. 



And first, to pass by the miraculous cures of our 

 known baths, how advantageous is the sea for our 

 daily traffick, without which we could not now subsist ! 

 How does it not only furnish us with food and physick 

 for the bodies, but with such observations for the mind 

 as ingenious persons would not want ! 



How ignorant had we been of the beauty of Flo- 

 rence, of the monuments, urns, and rarities that yet 

 remain in, and near unto old and new Rome, so many 

 as it is said will take up a year's time to view, 

 and afford to each of them but a convenient consider- 

 ation! And therefore it is not to be wondered at, 

 that so learned and devout a father as St. Jerome, 

 after his wish to have seen Christ in the Flesh, and 



* Aurelius Macrobius, a learned writer of the fourth century; he 

 was chamberlain to the Emperor Theodosius. Fabricius makes it a 

 question whether he was a Christian or a Pagan* His works are, 

 A Commentary on the Somnium Scipionis of Cicero, in two books; and 

 Saturnalia Convivia^ in deven. Besides these, he was the Author of many, 

 which are lost. 



f Marcus Terentius Varro, a most learned Roman, contemporary 

 with Cicero, and author, as it is said, of near five hundred volumes. 

 He is one of the best writers on agriculture. 



j: Dr. Thomas Wharton, an eminent physician and excellent anato- 

 mist, and Grtsbam professor of physick. He lived in Aldersgate-street, 

 London, and died 1673. Atbea. Oxon. 522. 



