THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY 



there be now many men of great wisdom, learning, and ex- 

 perience, 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 practises 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 it can contribute nothing to your know- 

 ledge. And lest a longer Epistle may diminish your pleasure, 

 I shall make this no longer than to add this following truth, 



That I am really, 



SIR, 



Your affectionate Friend, 



And most humble Servant, 



Iz. WA. 



