58 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



any fly, then be sure to let your line be very long, and to keep 

 out of sight. And having told you that his spawn is excellent 

 meat, and that the head of a large cheven, the throat being well 

 washed, is the best part of him, I will say no more of this fish 

 at the present, but wish you may catch the next you fish for. 



But lest you may judge me too nice in urging to have the 

 chub dressed so presently after he is taken, I will commend 

 to your consideration how curious former times have been in the 

 like kind. 



You shall read in Seneca's Natural Questions, Lib. 3, Cap. 

 17,* that the ancients were so curious in the newness of their 

 fish, that they seemed not new enough that was not put alive 

 into the guest's hand ; and he says that to that end they did 

 usually keep them living in glass bottles in their dining-rooms ; 

 and they did glory much in their entertaining of friends, to 

 have that fish taken from under their table alive that was in- 

 stantly to be fed upon. And he says, they took great pleasure 

 to see their mullets change to several colors, when they were 

 dying. But enough of this, for I doubt I have stayed too long 

 from giving you some observations of the trout, and how to fish 

 for him, which shall take up the next of my spare time. 



* Walton is said, by some of his editors, to be quoting Seneca at second- 

 hand, through Hakewill, but he must have followed Hakewill's refer- 

 ence to Lodge's translation of Seneca, published 1614, as he gives more 

 particulars than Hakewill. — Am. Ed. 



THE SAMLET OR SKEGGER-TROUT.— rida Page 6a 



