CHAP. I.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 53 



The Water is more productive than the earth. Nay, the 

 earth hath no fruitfulness without showers or dews ; for all the 

 herbs and flowers and fruits are produced and thrive by the 

 water ; and the very minerals are fed by streams that run un- 

 derground, whose natural course carries them to the tops of 

 many high mountains, as we see by several springs breaking 

 forth on the tops of the highest hills ; and this is also witnessed 

 by the daily trial and testimony of several miners. 



Nay, the increase of those creatures that are bred and fed in 

 the water are not only more and more miraculous, but more ad- 

 vantageous to man, not only for the lengthening of his life, but 

 for the preventing of sickness; for 'tis observed by the most 

 learned physicians, that the casting off of Lent and other fish 

 days, which hath not only given the lie to so many learned, 

 pious, wise founders of colleges, for which we should be 

 ashamed,- -hath doubtless been the chief cause of those many 

 putrid, shaking, intermitting agues, unto which this nation of 

 ours is now more subject than those wiser countries that feed 

 on herbs, salads, and plenty of fish ; of which it is observed in 

 story, that the greatest part of the world now do. And it may 

 be fit to remember that Moses, Lev. xi. 9, Deut. xiv. 9, ap- 

 pointed fish to be the chief diet for the best commonwealth 

 that ever yet was. 



And it is observable, not only that there are fish, as 

 namely, the Whale, three times as big as the mighty Elephant, 

 that is so fierce in battle, but that the mightiest feasts have 

 been of fish. The Romans in the height of their glory have 

 made fish the mistress of all their entertainments ; they have 

 had music to usher in their Sturgeons, Lampreys, and Mullets, 

 which they would purchase at rates rather to be wondered at 

 than believed. He that shall view the writings of Macrobius, 

 or Varro, may be confirmed and informed of this, and of the 

 incredible value of their fish and fish-ponds. 



But, Gentlemen, I have almost lost myself, which I confess 

 I may easily dp in this philosophical discourse ; I met with mosl 



