CHAP. i. THE FIRST DAY. 25 



learned physicians, that the casting off of Lent and other fish 

 daysTwHich^ hath not only given the lie to so many learned, 

 pious, wise founders of colleges, for which we should be ashamed, 

 ha7H~7[o^btless_Jbeen^ the chiet cause of Ariose many putrid, 

 shaking, intermitting agues, unto which this nation of ours^ is 

 now more subject than those wiser countries that feed on herbs, 

 saladsTand plenty of fish ; of which it is observed in story, that 

 the greatest jgart of^_theworld now do. And it_ may be fit to 

 reTTTernBer that Mpses appointed nsTTto be the chief diet for the 

 best common wealth^that evetyetjvas. 



~AncTit is observable, not only that there are fish, as, namely, 

 the whale, three times as big as the mighty elephant, that is so 

 fierce in battle, but that the mightiest feasts have been of fish. 

 The Romansji the b eight of their glory have made fish the 

 mistress of all their entertainments^Thl^ have irarfTmTSTC to 

 usftgT'nr~their sturgeons, lampreys, _and mullets, which they 

 would~purchase~at rates rather to be wondered at than believed. 

 He"Tl!aTlffiaTi~View the writings of Macrobius or Varro may be 

 confirmed and informed of this, and of the incredible value of 

 their fish and fish-ponds. 



But, gentlemen, I have almos^ ln<;f myself, which I confess I 

 may ensily do in this philosophical discourse^ I met with most 

 of it very lately, anct I hope nappily, in a conference with a 

 most learned physician, Dr. Wharton, a dear friend, that loves 

 both me and my art of angling. But, however, I will wade no 

 deeper in these mysterious arguments, but pass to such observa- 

 tions as I can manage with more pleasure, and less fear of 

 running into error. But I must not yet forsake the waters, by 

 whose help we have so many known advantages. 



And first, to pass by the miraculous cures of our known 

 baths, how advantageous is the sea for our daily traffic, 

 without which we could not now subsist ! How does it not 

 only furnish us with food and physic for the bodies, but with 

 such observations for the mind as ingenious persons would 

 not want ! 



How ignorant had we been of the beauty of Florence, of the 

 monuments, urns, and rarities that yet remain in and near unto 



