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JOHN OFFLEY 



OF 



MADELY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF 

 STAFFORD, ESQ. 



My most Honoured Friend. 



SIR, 



I HAVE made so ill use of your former favours, as by them 

 to be encouraged to entreat that they may be enlarged to the 

 Patronage and Protection of this Book ; and I have put on a 

 modest confidence, that I shall not be denied, because it is a 

 Discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you know so well, and 

 both love and practise so much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another 

 belief, that Angling is an Art; and you know that Art better 

 than others; and that this is truth, is demonstrated by the 

 fruits of that pleasant labour which you enjoy when you 

 purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest yourself of your 

 more serious business, and, which is often, dedicate a day or 

 two to this recreation. 



At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and be 

 eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune but your skill, 

 it would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, 

 and that emulation might beget an industrious diligence to be 

 so : but I know it is not attainable by common capacities. And 



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