THE COMPLETE ANGLER. S5 



room for their pleasures ; and 'tis odds he is as much displeased 

 with the business that keeps him from you, as you are that he 

 comes not. But I am the most pleased with this little house of 

 anything I ever saw :* it stands in a kind of peninsula too, with 

 a delicate clear river about it. I dare hardly go in, lest I should 

 not like it so well within as without ; but, by your leave, I'll try. 

 Why this is better and better : fine lights, finely wainscotted, and 

 all exceeding neat, with a marble table, and all, in the middle ! 



Pisc. Enough, Sir, enough ; I have laid open to you the part 

 where 1 can worst defend myself; and now you attack me there. 

 Come, boy, set two chairs ; and whilst I am taking a pipe of to- 

 bacco, which is always my breakfast, we will, if you please, talk 

 of some other subject. f 



* Fitzgibbon gives this pleasing information : ** Cotton's fishing-house 

 was repaired about three years ago, and is now (183S) nearly in the same 

 state as when the original constructor described it. All these repairs and 

 improvements are owing to the good taste of the actual owner, the Mar- 

 quis of Beresford." See the prefatory notice of Cotton and his writings.— 



Am. Ed. 



t The following verses, extracted from a longer poem, in praise of to- 

 bacco, will serve to illustrate the several visits to the Fishing-house. They 

 are taken from Gosden's edition of the Journey to Beresford Hall. 



" Methinks I see Charles Cotton, and his friend, 

 The modest Walton, from Augusta's town, 

 Enter the Fishing-house an hour to spend. 

 And by the marble table set them down. 



" ' Boy, bring me in the jug of Derby ale. 



My best tobacco, and my smoking tray ;' 

 The boy, obedient, brings the rich regale. 

 And each assumes liis pipe of polished clay. 



" Thus sung young Cotton, and his will obeyed. 



And snug the friends were seated at their ease ; 

 They light their tubes without the least parade, 

 And give the fragrance to the playful breeze. 



" Now cloud on cloud pervades the fishers' room. 

 The Moreland ale rich sparkles to the sight ; 

 They draw fresh wisdom from the circling gloom, 

 And deal a converse pregnant with delight. 



