186 DIRECTIONS HOW TO FISH 



perch, drawn with a pencil on the door of a house 

 near that city, which was twenty-nine inches 

 long ; and was informed it was the true dimen- 

 sions of a living perch. 



The largest perch are taken with a minnow, 

 hooked with a good hold through the back fin, 

 or rather through the upper lip ; for the perch, 

 by reason of the figure of his mouth, cannot take 

 the bait crosswise, as the pike will. When you 

 fish thus, use a large cork float, and lead your 

 line about nine inches from the bottom, other- 

 wise the minnow will come to the top of the 

 water; but in the ordinary way of fishing, let 

 your bait hang within about six inches from the 

 ground.] And now I think best to rest myself, 

 for I have almost spent my spirits with talking 

 so long. 



Venator. Nay, good master, one fish more! 

 for you see it rains still; and you know our 

 angles are like money put to usury they may 

 thrive, though we sit still, and do nothing but 

 talk and enjoy one another. Come, come, the 

 other fish, good master ! 



Piscator. But, scholar, have you nothing to 

 mix with this discourse, which now grows most 

 tedious and tiresome? Shall I have nothing 



