54 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART 1. 



of it very lately, and, I hope, happily, in a conference with a 

 most learned physician, Dr. Wharton, a dear friend, that loves 

 both me and my art of Angling. But however, I will wade no 

 deeper in these mysterious arguments, but pass to such obser- 

 vations as I can manage with more pleasure, and less fear of 

 running into error. But I must not yet forsake the waters, by 

 whose help we have so many known advantages. 



And first, to pass by the miraculous cures of our known 

 baths, how advantageous is the sea for our daily traffic, with- 

 out which we could not now subsist ? How does it not only 

 furnish us with food and physic for the bodies, but with such 

 observations for the mind as ingenious persons would not 

 want ! 



How ignorant had we been of the beauty of Florence, of the 

 monuments, urns, and rarities that yet remain in and near unto 

 old and new Rome, so many as it is said will take up a year's 

 time to view, and afford to each of them but a convenient con- 

 sideration ; and therefore it is not to be wondered at, that so 

 learned and devout a father as St. Jerome, after his wish to 

 have seen Christ in the flesh, and to have heard St. Paul 

 preach, makes his third wish to have seen Rome in her glory ; 

 and that glory is not yet all lost, for what pleasure is it to see 

 the monuments of Livy, the choicest, of the historians ; of 

 Tully, the best of orators ; and to see the bay-trees that now 

 grow out of the very tomb of Virgil ! These, to any that love 

 learning, must be pleasing. But what pleasure is it to a de- 

 vout Christian to see there the humble house in which St. Paul 

 was content to dwell, and to view the many rich statues that 

 are there made in honor of his memory ! Nay, to see the very 

 place in which St. Peter and he lie buried together ! These 

 are in and near to Rome. And how much more doth it please 

 the pious curiosity of a Christian, to see that place on which 

 the blessed Saviour of the world was pleased to humble himself, 

 and to take our nature upon him, and to converse with men, 

 to see Mount Sion, Jerusalem, and the very Sepulchre of 



