The Compleat ^Angler 



notions to his prophets, he then carried them either to the deserts or 

 the sea-shore, that having so separated them from amidst the press 

 of people and business, and the cares of the world, he might settle 

 their minds in a quiet repose, and there make them fit for revelation. 



And this seems also to be intimated by the Children of Israel 

 (Psal. 137), who, having in a sad condition banished all mirth and 

 music from their pensive hearts, and having hung up their then mute 

 harps upon the willow-trees growing by the rivers of Babylon, sat 

 down upon these banks bemoaning the ruins of Sion, and contem- 

 plating their own sad condition. 



And an ingenious Spaniard says, that " rivers and the inhabitants 

 of the watery element were made for wise men to contemplate and 

 fools to pass by without consideration." And though I will not 

 rank myself in the number of the first, yet give me leave to free 

 myself from the last, by offering to you a short contemplation, first 

 of rivers and then of fish ; concerning which I doubt not but to give 

 you many observations that will appear very considerable : I am sure 

 they have appeared so to me, and made many an hour to pass away 

 more pleasantly, as I have sat quietly on a flowery bank by a calm 

 river, and contemplated what I shall now relate to you. 



And first, concerning rivers : there be so many wonders reported 

 and written of them, and of the several creatures that be bred and 

 live in them ; and those by authors of so good credit, that we need 

 not to deny them an historical faith. 



As namely of a river in Epirus, that puts out any lighted torch, 

 and kindles any torch that was not lighted. Some waters being 

 drank cause madness, some drunkenness, and some laughter to death. 

 The rivet Selarus in a few hours turns a rod or wand to stone ; and 

 our Camden mentions the like in England, and the like in Lochmere 

 in Ireland. There is also a river in Arabia, of which all the sheep 

 that drink thereof have their wool turned into a vermilion colour. 

 And one of no less credit than Aristotle tells us of a merry river 

 (the river Elusina) that dances at the noise of music, for with music 

 it bubbles, dances, and grows sandy, and so continues till the music 

 ceases, but then it presently returns to its wonted calmness and 

 clearness. And Camden tells us of a well near to Kirby in West- 



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