ANGLING IMPROVED. 41 



any wax be upon it, smell at it and go away. We see also 

 that strong scents draw them together; as, put grains, 

 worms, or snails, in a bottle of hay tied pretty close, and 

 you will, if you pluck it out suddenly, sometimes draw 

 up EELS in it. But I never yet made trial of any of 

 these oils ; for when I had the oils, I wanted time to try 

 them ; or when I had time, I wanted the oils : but I re- 

 commend them to others for trial, and do purpose, 

 God willing, to prove the virtue myself, especially that 

 ointment so highly commended by J. D. in his Secrets 

 of Angling * 



* In the edition of 1613, duod. the receipt here referred to occurs at 

 the end of the volume : 



Would'stthou catch fish? 

 Then here's thy wish ; 

 Take this receipt 

 To anoint thy bait. 



Thou that desirest to fish with line and hook, 

 Be it in poole, in river, or in brook, 

 To blisse thy bait, and make the fish to bite, 

 Loe here's a means if thou canst hit it right ; 

 Take gum of life, fine beat and laid to soak 

 In oyle, well drawn from that which kills the oak; 

 Fish where thou wilt, thou shah have sport thy fill, " 

 When twenty fail, thou shalt be sure to kill. 



Probaturn. 



It's perfect and good 

 If well understood 

 Else not to be told , 

 For silver or gold. 



Lauson, who ' augmented with many approved experiments,' the second 

 edition of the Secrets of Angling, 1652, duod. observes, 'This excellent 

 receipt divers Anglers can tell you where you may buy them.* On the 

 subject of 'gum of life,' he continues, 'I have heard much of an oyntment 

 that will presently cause any fish to bite; but I could never attain the 

 knowledge thereof, the nearest in mine opinion, except this Probatum, is 

 the oyle of an ospray, which is called Aquila Marina, the Sea-Eagle. 



