The Compleat ^Angler 



You are assured (though there be ignorant men of another 

 belief) that angling is an art : and you know that art better than 

 others ; and that this truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that 

 pleasant labour which you enjoy, when you purpose to give rest 

 to your mind, and divest yourself of your more serious business, 

 and (which is often) dedicate a day or two to this recreation. 



At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be 

 eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune but your skill, it 

 would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, and 

 that emulation might beget an industrious diligence to be so ; but I 

 know it is not attainable by common capacities. And there be now 

 many men of great wisdom, learning, and experience, which love and 

 practise this art, that know I speak the truth. 



Sir, this pleasant curiosity of fish and fishing (of which you are 

 so great a master) has been thought worthy the pens and practices 

 of divers in other nations, that have been reputed men of great 

 learning and wisdom : and amongst those of this nation, I remember 

 Sir Henry Wotton (a dear lover of this art) has told me, that his 

 intentions were to write a discourse of the art, and in praise of 

 angling ; and doubtless he had done so, if death had not prevented 

 him ; the remembrance of which hath often made me sorry ; for if 

 he had lived to do it, then the unlearned angler had seen some 

 better treatise of this art, a treatise that might have proved worthy 

 his perusal, which (though some have undertaken) I could never yet 

 see in English. 



But mine may be thought as weak, and as unworthy of common 

 view ; and I do here freely confess, that I should rather excuse 

 myself, than censure others, my own discourse being liable to so 

 many exceptions ; against which you, sir, might make this one, that 



4 



