A CONFERENCE BETWIXT 



which I may again tell you is so full of pleasure, that we need 

 not borrow their thoughts to think ourselves happy. 



VEN. Sir, you have almost amazed me, for though I am no 

 scoffer, yet I have, I pray let me speak it without offence, always 

 looked upon Anglers as more patient and more simple men, 

 than I fear I shall find you to be. 



Pise. Sir, I hope you will not judge my earnestness to be 

 impatience : and for my simplicity, if by that you mean a harm- 

 lessness, or that simplicity which was usually found in the 

 primitive Christians, who were, as most Anglers are, quiet men, 

 and followers of peace ; men that were so simply-wise, as not 

 to sell their consciences to buy riches, and with them vexation 

 and a fear to die; if you mean such simple men as lived in 

 those times when there were fewer Lawyers ; when men might 

 have had a Lordship safely conveyed to them in a piece of 

 parchment no bigger than your hand, though several sheets 

 will not do it safely in this wiser age, I say, Sir, if you take us 

 Anglers to be such simple men as I have spoken of, then myself 

 and those of my profession will be glad to be so understood: 

 But if by simplicity you meant to express a general defect in 

 those that profess and practise the excellent Art of Angling, I 

 hope in time to disabuse you, and make the contrary appear so 

 evidently, that if you will but have patience to hear me, I shall 

 remove all the anticipations that discourse, or time, or prejudice 

 have possessed you with against that laudable and ancient Art ; 

 for I know it is worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



But, Gentlemen, though I be able to do this, I am not so 

 unmannerly as to engross all the discourse to myself; and 

 therefore, you two having declared yourselves, the one to be a 

 lover of Hawks, the other of Hounds, I shall be most glad to 

 hear what you can say in the commendation of that recreation 

 which each of you love and practise; and having heard what 

 you can say, I shall be glad to exercise your attention with 

 what I can say concerning my own recreation and Art of 

 Angling, and by this means, we shall make the way to seem the 

 shorter : and if you like my motion, I would have Mr. Falconer 

 to begin. 



Auc. Your motion is consented to with all my heart, and 

 to testify it, I will begin as you have desired me. 



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