THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 33 



you are already past the worst, and the greatest part of your way 

 to your lodging. 



ViAT. I am very glad to hear it, both for the ease of myself 

 and my horse ; but especially because I may then expect a freer 

 enjoyment of your conversation ; though the shortness of the way 

 will, I fear, make me lose it the sooner. 



Pisc. That, Sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure you 

 deserve much better for being content with so ill company : but 

 we have talked away two miles of your journey ; for, from the 

 brook before us, that runs at the foot of this sandy hill, you have 

 but three miles to Ashborn.* 



ViAT. I meet everywhere in this country with these little 

 brooks, and they look as if they were full of fish : have they 

 not trouts in them ? 



Pisc. That is a question which is to be excused in a stranger, 

 as you are ; otherwise, give me leave to tell you, it would seem 

 a kind of affront to our country, to make a doubt of what we 

 pretend to be famous for, next, if not before, our malt, wool, lead, 

 and coal : for you are to understand, that we think we have as 

 many fine rivers, rivulets, and brooks as any country whatever ; 

 and they are all full of trouts, and some of them the best, it is 

 said, by many degrees, in England. 



ViAT. I was first. Sir, in love with you ; and now shall be so 

 enamored of your country by this account you give me of it, as 

 to wish myself a Derbyshire man, or at least that I might live in 

 it : for you must know I am a pretender to the angle, and, doubt- 

 less, a trout affords the most pleasure to an angler of any sort 

 of fish whatever ; and the best trouts must needs make the best 

 sport : but this brook, and some others I have met with upon this 

 way, are too full of wood for that recreation. 



Pisc. This, Sir ! why this, and several others like it which you 

 have passed, and some that you are like to pass, have scarce any 

 name amongst us : but we can show you as fine rivers, and as 

 clear from wood, or any other encumbrance to hinder an angler, 



• " The sandy hill and brook described by Cotton does not produce a 

 subject (for a sketch) illustrative of the angler, though the scenery is 

 beautiful." Journey to Beresford Hall, by W. Alexander, F. S. A. and 

 L. S. — int. Ed. 



PART II. 2* 



