1O 



THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 



JOHN OFFLEY, ESQ. 



OF 



MADELY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD. 



My most Honored Friend. 



SIR, 



T HAVE made so ill use of your former favors, as by 

 them to be encouraged to intreat that they may be en- 

 larged to the Patronage and Protection of this Book : and I 

 have put on a modest confidence, that I shall not be denied, 

 because it is a Discourse of Fish and Fishing, which you know 

 so well, and both love and practise so much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another 

 belief, that Angling is an Art ; and you know that Art better 

 than others : and that this truth is demonstrated by the fruits 

 of that pleasant labor which you enjoy when you purpose to 

 give rest to your mind, and divest ypurself of your more seri- 

 ous business, and, which is often, dedicate a day or two to 

 this recreation. 



At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, and 

 be eyewitnesses of the success, not of your fortune, but your 

 skill, it would doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like 

 you, and that emulation might beget an industrious diligence 

 to be so ; but I know it is not attainable by common capaci- 

 ties. And there be now many men of great wisdom, learning, 

 and experience, which love and practise this Art, that know | 

 speak the truth. 



