54 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



to say the truth, it is not very taking at first sight. But look 

 you, Sir, now you are abroad, does not the sun shine as bright 

 here as in Essex, Middlesex, or Kent, or any of your southern 

 counties ? 



ViAT. It is a delicate morning, indeed ; and I now think this 

 a marvellous pretty place. 



Pisc. Whether you think so or no, you cannot oblige me more 

 than to say so ; and those of my friends who know my humor, 

 and are so kind as to comply with it, usually flatter me that way. 

 But look you, Sir, now you are at the brink of the hill, how do 

 you like my river, the vale it winds through like a snake, and 

 the situation of my little fishing-house ? 



ViAT. Trust me, 'tis all very fine, and the house seems at this 

 distance a neat building. 



Pisc. Good enough for that purpose : and here is a bowling- 

 green too, close by it ; so, though I am myself no very good 

 bowler, I am not totally devoted to my own pleasure, but that I 

 have also some regard to other men's. And now. Sir, you are 

 come to the door, pray walk in, and there we will sit and talk as 

 long as you please. 



ViAT. Stay, what's here over the door ? Piscatoribus Sa- 



* There is un- CRUM.* Why then, I perceive, I have some title 



der this motto here ; for I am one of them, though one of the 



the Cypher worst : and here below it is the cypher too, you 

 mentioned in i /• j •. • .-i . • i tt 



, . , spoke 01, and it is prettily contrived. Has my 



jlnd some part 'T^^ster Walton ever been here to see it ? for it 

 of the Fishing- seems to be new built. 



house has been described ; but the pleasantness of the river, mountains, 

 and meadows, about it, cannot ; unless Sir Philip Sidney or Mr. Cotton's 

 father were again alive to do it. 



Pisc. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone before it was set up, but 

 never in the posture it now stands ; for the house was but build- 

 ing when he was last here, and not raised so high as the arch of 

 the door : and I am afraid he will not see it yet ; for he has late- 

 ly writ me word, he doubts his coming down this summer ; 

 which, I do assure you, was the worst news he could possibly 

 have sent me. 



Viat. Men must sometimes mind their aflfairs to make more 



