106 ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 



Franck's book, which is written in the form of a 

 dialogue between Arnoldus, the instructor, and 

 Theophilus, the pupil, contains the following in- 

 teresting reference to the old statute, which forbade 

 masters to feed their apprentices upon salmon more 

 than three times a week : 



Arnoldus. The Firth runs here that washeth and 

 melts the Foundations of the City, but relieves the 

 Country with her plenty of Salmon ; where the Burgo- 

 masters (as in many other parts of Scotland) are 

 compell'd to reinforce an ancient Statute, that 

 commands all Masters and others, not to force or 

 compel any Servant, or an Apprentice, to feed upon 

 Salmon more than thrice a Week. 



Theophilus. Is there such a Law in force now ? 



Arnoldus. Yes sure, for ought I know it remains 

 to this Day : and the Reason of it is, as I conceive, 

 from the plenty of Salmon in these Northern Parts ; 

 that should the Inhabitants daily feed upon them, they 

 would inevitably endanger their Health, if not their 

 Lives, by Surfeiting ; for the abundance of Salmon 

 hereabouts in these Parts is hardly to be credited. 



In dealing with fly-fishing, Franck returns to his 

 attack upon Izaak Walton : 



Arnoldus. For indeed the frequent exercise of 

 Fly-fishing, though painful, yet it's delightful ; more 

 especially when managed by the Methods of Art, and 

 the practical Rules and Mediums of Artists. But the 

 Ground-bait was of old the general Practice, and 

 beyond dispute brought considerable Profit ; which 

 hapned in those Days, when the Curiosity of Fly- 

 fishing was intricate and unpracticable. However 

 Isaac Walton (late Author of the Compleat Angler} 

 has imposed upon the World this monthly Novelty, 



