CHAP. I; THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



Viat. In earnest, Sir, I am ravished to meet with a 

 friend of Mr. Isaac Walton's, and one that does him so 

 much right in so good and true a character : for I must 

 boast to you, that I have the good fortune to know 

 him too, and came acquainted with him much after the 

 same manner I do with you, that he was my master, 

 who first taught mt 10 love Angling, and then to be- 

 come an Angler ; and, to be plain with you, I am the 

 very man deciphered in his book under the name of Ve- 

 nator ; for I was wholly addicted to the Chace, till he 

 taught me as good a more quiet, innocent, and less 

 dangerous diversion. 



Pise. Sir, I think myself happy in your acquaint- 

 ance ; and before we part, shall entreat leave to embrace 

 you : You have said enough to recommend you to my 

 best opinion : for my father Walton will be seen twice 

 in no man's company he does not like, and likes none 

 but such as he believes to be very honest men, which 

 is one of the best arguments, or at least of the best 

 testimonies I have, that I either am, or that he thinks 

 me, one of those ; seeing I have not yet found him 

 weary of me. 



Viat. You speak like a true friend ; and, in doing 

 so 9 render yourself worthy of his friendship. May I 

 be so bold as to ask your name ? 



Pise. Yes surely, Sir ; and, if you please } a much 



nicer question : My name is , and I intend to 



stay long enough in your company, if I find you do 

 not dislike mine, to ask yours too. In the mean time, 

 (because we are now almost at Ashborn,) I shall freely 

 and bluntly fell you, That I am a brother of the angle 

 too, and, peradventure, can give you some instructions, 



HOW TO ANGLE FOR A TROUT IN A CLEAR RIVEJlj 



that my father W alton himself will not disapprove, 

 though he did either purposely omit, or did not re- 

 member them, when you and he sat discoursing under 

 the sycamore tree *. And ; being you have already 



the text, that Walton followed the above-mentioned examples, by adopt- 

 ing Cotton for his son. 

 * See Part I. Page 172. 



y 4 



