CHAP. i. THE FIRST DAY. 27 



only of yourself, but your recreation. And so, gentlemen, God 

 keep you both. 



PlSC. Well now, Mr. Venator, you shall neither want time 

 nor my attention to hear you enlarge your discourse concerning 

 hunting. . 



VEN. Not I, sir : I remember you said that angling itself was 

 of great antiquity and a perfect art, and an art not easily attained 

 to ; and you have so won upon me in your former discourse, that 

 I am .very desirous to he 

 those particulars. 



PlSC. Sir, I did say so : and I doubt not but if you and I did 

 converse together but a few hours, to leave you possessed with 

 the same high and happy thoughts that now possess me of it ; 

 not only of the antiquity of angling, but that it deserves com- 

 mendations ; and that it is an art, and an art worthy the know- 

 ledge and practice of a wise man. 



VEN. Pray, sir, speak of them what you think fit, for we have 

 yet five miles to the Thatched House ; during which walk I 

 dare promise you my patience and diligent attention shall not 

 be wanting. And if you shall make that to appear which you 

 have undertaken first that it is an art, and an art, worth 

 the learning, I shall beg that I may attend you a day or two 

 a-fishing, and that I may become your scholar and be instructed 

 in the art itselt which you ^n mu^ji magnify 



PlSC. O sir, doubt not that angling is an art. Is it not an 

 art to deceive a trout with an artificial fly ? a trout ! that is 

 more sharp-sighted than any hawk you have named, and more 

 watchful and timorous than your high-mettled merlin is bold ; 

 and yet I doubt not to catch a brace or two to-morrow for a 

 friend's breakfast ; doubt not, therefore, sir, but that angling is 

 an art, and an art worth your learning. The question is rather, 

 whether you be capable of learning it ? for angling is somewhat 

 lik^peetEy^rriQn are to be bojrn_so : jjngan^with inclinations to it, 

 though both may be heightened by discourse and practice: but 

 hejlmt hopes to be a good angler, must not only bring anTnquirmg, 

 searching, observing wit, but he must bring a large measure of 

 hope and patience, and a love and propensity to the art itsell 



