TO 



My most HONOURED FRIEND, 



CHARLES COTTON, Esq. 



SIR, 



YOU now see I hare returned you your very plea- 

 sant and useful Discourse of The Art of Fly-fishing, 

 printed just as it was sent me; for I have been so 

 obedient to your desires, as to endure all the praises 

 you have ventured to fix upon me in it. And when 

 I have thanked you for them, as the effects of an 

 undissembled love; then, let me tell you. Sir, that 

 I will really endeavour to live up to the character 

 you have given of me, if there were no other reason, 

 yet for this alone, that you, that love me so well, 

 and always think what you speak, may not, for my 

 sake, suffer by a mistake in your judgment. 



And, Sir, I have ventured to Jill a part of your 

 margin, by wny of paraphrase, for the reader's 

 clearer understanding the situation both of your 

 fishing house, and the pleasantness of that you dwell 

 in. And I have ventured also to give him a Copy 

 of Verses that you were pleased to send me, now, 

 some years past in which, he may see a good picture 

 of both ; and so much of your own mind too, as will 

 make any reader^ that is blest with a generous soul, 



