AND DIRECTIONS HOW TO FISH FOR HIM 



Gentles, which not being too much scoured, but green, are a 

 choice bait for him; and so is cheese, which is not to be too 

 hard, but kept a day or two in a wet linen cloth to make it 

 tough: with this you may also bait the water a day or two 

 before you fish for the Barbel, and be much the likelier to catch 

 store: and if the cheese were laid in clarified honey a short 

 time before, as namely, an hour or two, you were still the 

 likelier to catch fish : some have directed to cut the cheese into 

 thin pieces, and toast it, and then tie it on the hook with fine 

 silk : and some advise to fish for the Barbel with sheep's tallow 

 and soft cheese beaten or worked into a paste, and that it is 

 choicely good in August, and I believe it: but doubtless the 

 Lob-worm well scoured, and the Gentle not too much scoured, 

 and cheese ordered as I have directed, are baits enough ; and I 

 think will serve in any month ; though I shall commend any 

 Angler that tries conclusions, and is industrious to improve the 

 Art. And now, my honest Scholar, the long shower and my 

 tedious discourse are both ended together : and I shall give 

 you but this observation, that when you fish for a Barbel, your 

 rod and line be both long, and of good strength ; for, as I told 

 you, you will find him a heavy and a dogged fish to be dealt 

 withal, yet he seldom or never breaks his hold if he be once 

 strucken. And if you would know more of fishing for the Umber 

 or Barbel, get into favour with Dr. Sheldon, whose skill is above 

 others ; and of that, the poor that dwell about him have a com- 

 fortable experience. 



And now let's go and see what interest the Trouts will 

 pay us for letting our Angle-rods lie so long, and so quietly, in 

 the water, for their use. Come, Scholar, which will you 

 take up? 



VENATOR. Which you think fit, Master. 



Pise. Why, you shall take up that ; for I am certain by 

 viewing the line, it has a fish at it. Look you, Scholar : well 

 done. Come now, take up the other too ; well, now you may 

 tell my brother Peter at night, that you have caught a leash of 

 Trouts this day. And now let 's move toward our lodging, and 

 drink a draught of Red- Cow's milk as we go, and give pretty 

 Maudlin and her honest mother a brace of Trouts for their 

 supper. 



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