CHAP. XXL THE FIFTH DAY. 169 



that are not deep, but have willow trees and grass on their sides, 

 over which the water sometimes flows : and note, that carps do 

 more usually breed in marie-pits, or pits that have clean clay- 

 bottoms, or in new ponds, or ponds that lie dry a winter season, 

 than in old ponds that be full of mud and weeds. 



Well, scholar, I have told you the substance of all that either 

 observation, or discourse, or a diligent survey of Dubravius and 

 Lebault hath told me. not that they in their long discourses 

 have not said more ; but the most of the rest are so common 

 observations, as if a man should tell a good arithmetician that 

 twice two is four. 1 will therefore put an end to this discourse, 

 and we will here sit down and rest us. 



CHAPTER XXI. 



DIRECTIONS FOR MAKING OF A LINE, AND FOR THE COLOUR- 

 ING OF BOTH ROD AND LINE. 



PiSC. Well, scholar, I have held you too long about these 

 cadis, and smaller fish, and rivers, and fish-ponds; and my 

 spirits are almost spent, and so I doubt is your patience ; but 

 being, we are now almost at Tottenham, where I first met you, 

 and where we are to part, I will lose no time, but give 

 you a little direction how to make and order your lines, and 

 to colour the hair of which you make your lines, for that is 

 very needful to be known of an angler; and also how to paint 

 your rod, especially your top ; fjr a right grown top is a choice 

 commodity, and should be preserved from the water soaking 

 into it, which makes it in wet weather to be heavy and fish ill- 

 favouredly, and not true ; and also it rots quickly for want of 

 painting : and I think a good top is worth preserving, or I had 

 not taken care to keep a top above twenty years. 



But first for your line. First, note, that you are to take care 

 that your hair be round and clear, and free from galls or scabs 

 or frets, for a well-chosen, even, clear, round hair, of a kind of 



