CHAP. IX. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 237 



you are to remember, that I have told you there 

 is no rule without an exception ; and, therefore, be- 

 ing possest with that hope and patience which I 

 wish to all fishers, especially to the Carp-angler, I 

 shall tell you with what bait to fish for him. But 

 first, you are to know, that it must be either early, 

 or late; and let me tell you, that, in hot weather, 

 for he will seldom bite in cold, you cannot be too 

 early, or too late, at it. And some have been so cu- 

 rious as to say, the tenth of April is a fatal day for 

 Carps. 



The Carp bites either at worms, or at paste : And of 

 worms, I think the bluish marsh or meadow-worm is 

 best ; but possibly another worm, not too big, may do 

 as well, and so may a green gentle : And as for pastes, 

 there are almost as many sorts as there are medicines 

 for the tooth-ache: But doubtless sweet pastes are best; 

 I mean, pastes made with honey or with, sugar: 

 Which, that you may the better beguile this crafty fish, 

 should be thrown into the pond or place in which you 

 fish for him, some hours, or longer, before you under- 

 take your trial of skill with the angle-rod; and, 

 doubtless, if it be thrown into the water, a day or two 

 before, at several times, and in small pellets, you are 

 the likelier, when you fish for the Carp, to obtain your 

 desired sport. Or, in a large pond to draw them to 

 any certain place, that they may be better and with 

 more hope be fished-for you are to throw into it, in 

 some certain place, either grains or, blood mixt with 

 cow-dung or with bran; or any garbage, as chicken'* 

 guts or the like ; and, then, some of your small sweet 

 pellets with which you purpose to angle : And thes* 

 small pellets being, a few of them, also thrown in as 

 you are angling, will be the better. 



And your paste must be thus made : Take the flesh 

 of a rabbit, or a cat, cut small ; and bean-flour ; and 

 if that may not be easily got, get other flour ; and, 

 then, mix these together: and put to them either sugar, 

 or honey which I think better : and then beat these to- 

 gether in a mortar, or, sometimes, work them iuyour 

 hands, your hands being very clean; and then make it 



