ANCIENT ANGLING AUTHORS 155 



necessary instructions, but also "several Uncommon 

 and Surprising Remarks." But in spite of these 

 statements the poem could not possibly at any time 

 have possessed any practical value. 



The two following extracts will serve to illustrate 

 its practical utility as well as its poetical style : 



Hair best with Hair, and Silk with Silk agrees ; 

 But mixt, have each their Inconveniences. 



Fineness in Angling's th' Anglers nearest Rule ; 

 Tho Prudence still must regulate in all. 

 For Wise Men will not trust a single Hair 

 With Weight, which dead, it could not easily bear. 



If the author used a hair line of sufficient strength to 

 lift the dead weight of the fish he hoped to catch, he 

 certainly did not fish very fine. 



In 1700 there was published The Genteel Recrea- 

 tion ; or, the Pleasure of Angling, a poem. With a 

 Dialogue between Piscator and Corydon, by John 

 Whitney, A Lover of the Angle, London, Printed in 

 the Year, 1700. 



The preface of this work concludes in the following 

 half apologetic manner : 



I make no question, but some will find fault and 

 I expect it, but when I consider the world affords 

 both wise Men and Fools, and both find equal admirers 

 I am satisfied ; as to the verse there is faults and folly 

 enough, but grant Poetical License, if in pleasing 

 nobody I have pleased myself, and that's all the 

 reward I desire. 



It was certainly fortunate for the author that he 



