The Compleat ^Angler 



Pise. That, sir, is not worth your care ; and I am sure you 

 deserve much better for being content with so ill company. But we 

 have already talked away two miles of your journey ; for, from the 

 brook before us, that runs at the foot of this sandy hill, you have 

 but three miles to Ashborn. 



VIAT. I meet, everywhere in this country, with these little brooks; 

 and they look as if they were full of fish : have they not trouts in 

 them ? 



Pise. That is a question which is to be excused in a stranger, as 

 you are ; otherwise, give me leave to tell you, it would seem a kind 

 of affront to our country, to make a doubt of what we pretend to be 

 famous for, next, if not before, our malt, wool, lead, and coal ; for 

 you are to understand, that we think we have as many fine rivers, 

 rivulets, and brooks, as any country whatever ; and they are all full 

 of trouts, and some of them the best (it is said) , by many degrees, 

 in England. 



VIAT. I was first, sir, in love with you ; and now shall be so 

 enamoured of your country by this account you give me of it, as to 

 wish myself a Derbyshire man, or at least that I might live in it : for 

 you must know I am a pretender to the angle, and, doubtless, a trout 

 affords the most pleasure to the angler of any sort of fish whatever ; 

 and the best trouts must needs make the best sport ; but this brook, 

 and some others I have met with upon this way, are too full of wood 

 for that recreation. 



Pise. This, sir ! why this, and several others like it, which you 

 have passed, and some that you are like to pass, have scarce any 

 name amongst us ; but we can show you as fine rivers, and as clear 

 from wood, or any other incumbrance to hinder an angler, as any 

 you ever saw ; and for clear, beautiful streams, Hantshire itself, by 

 Mr. Izaak Walton's good leave, can show none such ; nor I think 

 any country in Europe. 



VIAT. You go far, sir, in the praise of your country rivers, and I 

 perceive have read Mr. Walton's Corn-pleat Angler, by your naming 

 of Hantshire ; and I pray what is your opinion of that book ? 



Pise. My opinion of Mr. Walton's book is the same with every 

 man's that understands anything of the art of angling, that it is an 



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