8 THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 



it would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, 

 and that emulation might beget an industrious diligence to be 

 so ; but I know it is not attainable by common capacities. And 

 there be now many men of great wisdom, learning, and ex- 

 perience, which love and practise this art, that know I speak 

 the truth. 



Sir, this pleasant curiosity of fish and fishing, of which you 

 are so great a master, has been thought worthy the pens and 

 practices of divers in other nations, that have been reputed men 

 of great learning and wisdom : and amongst those of this nation, 

 I remember Sir Henry Wotton (a dear lover of this art) has told 

 me, that his intentions were to write a discourse of the art, and 

 in praise of angling; and doubtless he had done so, if death had 

 not prevented him ; the remembrance of which hath often made 

 me sorry ; for if he had lived to do it, then the unlearned angler 

 had seen some better treatise of this art, a treatise that might 

 have proved worthy his perusal, which, though some have under- 

 taken, I could never yet see in English. 



But mine may be thought as weak, and as unworthy of common 

 view ; and I do here freely confess, that I should rather excuse 

 myself, than censure others, my own discourse being liable to 

 so many exceptions ; against which you, sir, might make this 

 one, that it can contribute nothing to your knowledge. And 

 lest a longer epistle may diminish your pleasure, I shall make 

 this no longer than to add this following truth, that I am really, 



Sir, 



Your most affectionate friend, 



And most humble servant, 



Iz. WA. 



