TO THE READER OF THIS DISCOURSE, 



BUT ESPECIALLY 



TO THE HONfeST ANGLER. 



I THINK fit to tell thee these following truths, that I did 

 neither undertake, nor write, nor publish, and much less own, 

 this Discourse to please myself; am^ haying been too easily 

 draAvn_tn do all to please others, as I propose not the gaining 

 of credit by this undertaking, so I would not willingly lose any < ^.~ 

 part of that to which I had a just title before I began it, and do 

 therefore desire and hope, if I deserve not commendations, yet 

 I may obtain pardon. 



And though this Discourse may be liable to some exceptions, 

 yet I cannot doubt but that most readers may receive so much 

 pleasure or profit by it, as may make it worthy the time of 

 their perusal, if they be not too grave or too busy men. And 

 this is all the confidence that I can put on, concerning the 

 merit of what is here offered to their consideration and censure ; 

 and if the last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am 

 resolved to use it, and neglect all sour censures. 



And I wish the reader also to take notice, that in writing of 

 it I have made myself a recreation of a recreation ; and_that it 



might rj^j--&Q-4u4HttV-aiid-^^ dull and^tediously, I 



hflA/f^in several places mixed^ not any scurrility, but some /V (r 



innocent, harmless mirth, of which, if thou be a .severe, sour- c 

 complexioned man, then I here disallow thee to be a competent 

 judge; for divines say, there are offences given, and offences not 

 given but taken. 



