CHAP. i. THE FIRST DAY. 29 



which I profess to love and practise, I sTTaH~bQ the gladder that 

 I made an accidental mention of Jheanticjuity of it, of^ which I 

 shall say no more, but proceed to that just commendation which 

 I think it deserves. 



And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient times a debate 

 hath ImSeT^'and iH : ^ma1ns~yeTim^ the Tiappi- 



nesTof man in this world doth consist more in contemplation or 

 action? 



Concerning which some have endeavoured to maintain their 

 opinion of the first ; by saying, that the nearer we mortals come 

 to God by way of imitation, the more happy we are. And they 

 say that God enjoys himself only, by a contemplation of his own 

 infiniteness, eternity, power, and goodness, and the like. And 

 upon this ground, many cloisteral men of great learning and 

 devotion, prefer contemplation before action. And many of the 

 fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may appear in their 

 commentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha (Luke 

 x. 41, 42). 



And on the contrary, there want not men of equal authority 

 and credit, tjiat prefer action to be the more excellent; as 

 namely, experiments in physic, and Hit; , J ||lfilli" ilmn iTil l.tnth for 

 the ease and prolongation nf m^n'g 1'fe ; hy whirh f^rh man is 

 pnrihlfid to nrt nnd dn gnnd to others, either to serve ^is country 

 or do good to particular persons. And they say also that action 

 is doctrinal, and teaches both art and virtue, and is a maintainer 

 of human society; and for these, and other like reasons, to be 

 preferred before contemplation. 



Concerning which two opinions, ^shall forbear to add a third, ' 

 by declaring my own ; and rest myself contented in telling you, 

 my very worthy friend, that^both tr^ese meet together, and do 

 most properly belong to the most Jann^c^ ingenious., 

 harmless aj of angling. 



And first, . I shall tell you what some have observed, and I 

 have found it to be a real truth, that the very sitting by the 

 river's side is not only the quietest and fittest place for contem- 

 plation, but will invite an angler to it: and this seems to be 

 maintained by the learned Peter Du Moulin, who, in his dis- 



