CHAP. XI.] 



THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



171 



jaundice. This and many other medicines were discovered by 

 them, or by revelation ; for doubtless we attained them not by 

 study. 



Well, this fish, besides his eating, is very useful, both dead 

 and alive, for the good of mankind. But I will meddle no 

 more with that ; my honest humble art teaches no such bold- 

 ness : there are too many foolish meddlers in physic and 

 divinity, that think themselves fit to meddle with hidden se- 

 crets, and so bring destruction to their followers. But I '11 

 not meddle with them, any farther than to wish them wiser ; 

 and shall tell you next, for I hope I may be so bold, that the 

 Tench is the physician of fishes ; for the Pike especially, and 

 that the Pike, being either sick or hurt, is cured by the touch 

 of the Tench. And it is observed, that the tyrant Pike will 

 not be a wolf to his physician, but forbears to devour him 

 though he be never so hungry. 



This fish, that carries a natural balsam in him to cure both 

 himself and others, loves yet to feed in very foul water, and 

 amongst weeds. And yet I am sure he eats pleasantly, and 

 doubtless you will think so too, if you taste him. And I shall 

 therefore proceed to give you some few, and but a few, direc- 

 tions how to catch this TENCH, 



of which I have given you these observations. 



He will bite at a paste made of brown bread and honey, or 



