V44 



TO HIS INGENIOUS FRIEND THE AUTHOR, 

 ON HIS 



ANGLING IMPROVED. 



HONOURED SIR, 



THOUGH I never, to my knowledge, had the happiness 

 to see your face, yet accidentally coming to a view of this 

 discourse before it went to the press; I held myself 

 obliged in point of gratitude for the great advantage I 

 received thereby, to tender you my particular acknowledg- 

 ment, especially having been for thirty years past, not 

 only a lover but a practiser of that innocent recreation, 

 wherein by your judicious precepts I find myself fitted 

 for a higher form; which expression I take the boldness 

 to use, because I have read and practised by many books 

 of this kind, formerly made public; from which, although 

 I received much advantage in the practice, yet, without 

 prejudice to their worthy Authors, I could never find in 

 them that height of judgment and /reason, which you 

 have manifested in this, as I may call it, epitome of An- 

 gling ; since my reading whereof I cannot look upon some 

 notes of my own gathering , but methinks I do puerilia 

 tractare. But lest I should be thought to go about to 

 magnify my own judgment, in giving yours so small a 

 portion of its due, I humbly take leave with no more am- 

 bition than to kiss your hand, and to be accounted 



YOUR HUMBLE AND 



THANKFUL SERVANT, 

 ISAAC WALTON. 



M846418 



