TO ALL 



READERS OF THIS DISCOURSE, 



BUT ESPECIALLY TO 



THE HONEST ANGLER. 



I THINK fit to tell thee these following truths, that I did neither un- 

 dertake, nor write, nor publish, and much less own, this Discourse 

 to please myself : and having been too easily drawn to do all to please 

 others, as I proposed not the gaining of credit by this undertaking, so I 

 would not willingly lose any part of that to which I had a just title before 

 I begun it ; and do therefore desire and hope, if I deserve not commenda- 

 tions, yet I may obtain pardon. 



And though this Discourse may be liable to some exceptions, yet I can- 

 not doubt but that most Readers may receive so much pleasure or profit by 

 it, as may make it worthy the time of their perusal, if they be not too grave 

 or too busy men. And this is all the confidence that I can put on, con- 

 cerning the merit of what is here offered to their consideration and censure ; 

 and if the last prove too severe, as I have a liberty, so I am resolved to use 

 it and neglect all sour censures. 



And I wish the Reader also to take notice, that in writing of it I have 

 made myself a recreation of a recreation. And that it might prove so to him, 

 and not read dull and tediously, I have in several places mixed, not any 

 scurrility, but some innocent, harmless mirth : of which, if thou be a se- 

 vere, sour-complexioned man, then I here disallow thee to be a competent 

 judge ; for divines say, There are offences given, and offences not given 

 but taken. 



And I am the willinger to justify the pleasant part of it, because, though 

 it is known I can be serious at seasonable times, yet the whole Discourse 

 is, or rather was, a picture of my own disposition ; especially in such days 

 and times as I have laid aside business, and gone a-fishing with honest 

 Nat. and R. Roe : but they are gone, and with them most of my pleasant 

 hours, even as a shadow that passeth away and returns not. 



And next let me add this, that he that likes not the book should like th 



