xc lU I'ME HEADER. 



last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am resolved to use 

 it, and neglect all sour censures. 



And I wish the reader also to take notice, that in writing of it 

 I have made myself a recreation of a recreation ; and that it 

 might prove so to him, and not read dull and tediously, I have in 

 several places mixed, ^ not any scurrility, but some innocent, 

 harmless mirth, of which, if thou be a severe, sour-complexioned 

 man, then I here disallow thee to be a competent judge ; for 

 divines say, there are offences given and offences not given but 

 taken. 



And I am the willinger to justify the pleasant part of it, because 

 though it is known I can be serious at seasonable times, '^ yet the 

 whole discourse is, or rather was, a picture of my own disposi- 

 tion, especially in such days and times as I have laid aside busi- 

 ness, and gone a fishing with honest Nat. and R. Roe ; but they 

 are gone, and with them most of my pleasant hours, even as a 

 shadow that passeth away, and returns not. 



And next let me add this, that he that likes not the book, should 

 like the excellent picture of the trout, and some of the other fish ; 

 which I may take a liberty to commend^ because they concern 

 not myself. 



Next let me tell the reader, that in that which is the more use- 

 ful part of this discourse, that is to say, the observations of the 

 nature of breeding, and seasons, and catching of fish, I am not 

 so simple as not to know, that a captious reader* may find excep- 

 tions against something said of some of these ; and therefore I 

 must entreat him to*^ consider, that experience teaches us to know 



' Variation. — Not any sciirrility but. Added in second edition. 



2 Is a kind of picture of my own disposition, at least of my disposition 

 in such days and times as I allow myself when honest Nat. and R. R. and 

 I go a fishing together. In the first and second editions. The passage 

 was re-written after the death of those worthy anglers, 



3 May commend. — First edition. Dare commend. — Second edition, 

 * He may. — First edition. 



6 To know or rather note that several countries alter the time and man- 

 ner of fishes breeding, and therefore if he bring not candor to the reading 

 of this discourse, he shall both injure me and possibly himself too, by too 

 many criticisms. — First edition. The passage to the end of the paragraph 

 was added in the second edition. 



