76 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. [PART I. 



Pise. We are not yet come to a likely place : I must walk a 

 mile further yet, before I begin. 



VEN. Well then, I pray, as we walk, tell me freely how do 

 you like your lodging, and mine host, and the company ? Is 

 not mine host a witty man ? 



Pise. Sir, I will tell you presently what I think of your 

 host; but first I will tell you, I am glad these Otters were 

 killed, and I am sorry that there are no more otter-killers : for 

 I know that the want of otter-killers, and the not keeping the 

 Fence-months for the preservation of fish, will in time prove 

 the destruction of all rivers ; and those very few that are left, 

 that make conscience of the laws of the nation, and of keeping 

 days of abstinence, will be forced to eat flesh, or suffer more 

 inconveniences than are yet foreseen. 



VEN. Why, Sir, what be those that you call the Fence-months? 



Pise. Sir, they be principally three, namely, March, April, 

 and May ; for these be the usual months that Salmon come out 

 of the sea to spawn in most fresh rivers, and their fry would 

 about a certain time return back to the salt water, if they were 

 not hindered by weirs and unlawful gins, which the greedy 

 fishermen set, and so destroy them by thousands; as they 

 would, being so taught by Nature, change the fresh for salt 

 water. He that shall view the wise statutes made in the i3th 

 of Edward I., and the like in Richard II., may see several pro- 

 visions made against the destruction of fish ; and though I 

 profess no knowledge of the law, yet I am sure the regulation 

 of these defects might be easily mended. But I remember 

 that a wise friend of mine did usually say, "That which is 

 everybody's business is nobody's business"; if it were other- 

 wise, there could not be so many nets and fish that are under 

 the statute size sold daily amongst us, and of which the conser- 

 vators of the waters should be ashamed. 



But above all, the taking fish in spawning-time may be said 

 to be against nature ; it is like the taking the dam on the nest 

 when she hatches her young ; a sin so against nature, that Al- 



