74 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



The notes which Lawson appended to Dennys' 

 work are decidedly practical in character, and possess 

 far greater value in this respect than the writings of 

 his contemporary, Markham. 



The Secrets of Angling, augmented with many 

 approved experiments. By W. Lawson. Printed at 

 London for Roger Jackson and are to be sold, etc. 

 The first edition of this work was undated : the 

 Bibliotheca Piscatoria gives the date as about 1620, 

 and it must have been earlier than 1624 when the 

 publisher died. 1 



Lawson modestly commences his edition as 

 follows : 



To THE READER, 



It may seem in me presumption to add 

 this little comment to the work of so worthy an 

 author. . . . What to me is doubtfull, I have, as I 

 can, explained ; what wants in my judgment, I have 

 supplied as the time woull suffer : what I passe by, 

 I approve. 



Lawson strongly condemns a top-heavy rod, and 

 also the use of floats : 



I utterly dislike your southern corks. First they 



1 Stationers' Register, i6th January 1625. Francis Williams. 

 Assigned over unto him by Mistris Jackson wife of Roger 

 Jackson deceased and by a full court holden this day, all her 

 estate in the copies here-in-after mentioned . . . xiiij. ... 5. 

 The way to get wealth. New Orchard &* Gardinge, his method. 

 The husbandmans practice. Al being the works of Gervis 

 Markham, whereunto is added Butler on Bees, The Secrets of 

 Angling, with MaskalPs boke of Cattle. 



