CHAPTER XXI 



Directions for making of a line, and for the colouring of 

 both rod and line. 



ISC. Well, scholar, I have held you too long about 

 these cadis, and smaller fish, and rivers, and fish- 

 ponds ; and my spirits are almost spent, and 

 so I doubt is your patience ; but being, we are 

 now almost at Tottenham, where I first met 

 you, and where we are to part, I will lose no 

 time, but give you a little direction how to make 

 and order your lines, and to colour the hair of which you make your 

 lines, for that is very needful to be known of an angler ; and also 

 how to paint your rod, especially your top ; for a right grown top is 

 a choice commodity, and should be preserved from the water soaking 

 into it, which makes it in wet weather to be heavy, and fish ill- 

 favouredly, and not true ; and also it rots quickly for want of paint- 

 ing : and I think a good top is worth preserving, or I had not taken 

 care to keep a top above twenty years. But first for your line. 

 First, note, that you are to take care that your hair be round and 



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