28 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. PART i. 



but having once got and practised it, then doubt not but angling 

 will prove to be so pleasant, that it will prove to be like virtue, 

 a reward to itself. 



VEN. Sir, I am now become so full of expectation, that 

 I long much to have you proceed; and in the order you 

 propose. 



PlSC. Then first, for the antiquity of angling, of which I shall 

 not say much, but only this: some say it is as ancient as 

 Deucalion's flood; others, that Belus, who was the first inventor 

 of godly and virtuous recreations, was the first inventor of 

 angling; and some others say, for former times have had 

 their disquisitions about the antiquity of it, that Seth, one of the 

 sons of Adam, taught it to his sons, and that by them it was 

 derived to posterity: others say, that he left it engraven on 

 those pillars which he erected, and trusted to preserve the 

 knowledge of the mathematics, music, and the rest of that 

 precious knowledge and those useful arts which by God's 

 appointment or allowance and his noble industry, were thereby 

 preserved from perishing in Noah's flood. 



These, Sir, have been the opinions of several men that have 

 possibly endeavoured to make angling more ancient than is 

 needful, or may well be warranted; but for my part, I shall 

 content myself in telling you, that angling is much more ancient 

 than the Incarnation of our Saviour; for in the prophet Amos 

 mention is made of fish-hooks ; and in the book of Job, which 

 was long before the days of Amos, for that book is said to be 

 writ by Moses, mention is made also of fish-hooks, which must 

 imply anglers in those times. 



But, my worthy friend, as L._ would rather prove myself a 

 gentleman, by being learned and humble, valiant and inotten-"" 

 sive, virtuous and communicable, than by any fond ostentation 

 of riches; or, wanting those virtues myself, boast that these 

 were in my ancestors (and yet I grant that where a noble_and 

 ancient descent, and such merit meet in any man, it is a double 

 digniflcation of that person) ; so if this antiquity ^o^iTimr t 

 which for jrty part I havp not forred. shall, like a**- ancient 

 either an honour or an ornament tojhis virtuous art 



