CHAP. III.] THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 255 



my Master Walton ever been here to see it ? for it seems new 

 built. 



Pise. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone before it was set up ; 

 but never in the posture it now stands : for the house was but 

 building when he was last here, and not raised so high as the 

 arch of the door. And I am afraid he will not see it yet ; for 

 he has lately writ me word, he doubts his coming down this 

 summer ; which, I do assure you, was the worst news he could 

 possibly have sent me. 



VIAT. Men must sometimes mind their affairs to make more 

 room for their pleasures ; and 't is odds he is as much displeased 

 with the business that keeps him from you, as you are that he 

 comes not. But I am the most pleased with this little house of 

 anything I ever saw : it stands in a kind of peninsula, too, with 

 a delicate clear river about it. I dare hardly go in, lest I should 

 not like it so well within as without ; but by your leave I '11 try. 

 Why this is better and better, fine lights, finely wainscoted, and 

 all exceeding neat, with a marble table and all in the middle. 



Pise. Enough, Sir, enough ! I have laid open to you the 

 part where I can worst defend myself; and now you attack me 

 there ! Come, boy, set two chairs, and whilst I am taking a 

 pipe of tobacco, which is always my breakfast, we will, if you 

 please, talk of some other subject. 



VIAT. None fitter, then, Sir, for the time and place, than 

 those instructions you promised. 



Pise. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, 

 whether I am able to instruct you, or no : though, if you are 

 really a stranger to our clear northern rivers, I still think I can ; 

 and therefore, since it is yet too early in the morning at this 

 time of the year, to-day being but the yth of March, to cast a 

 fly upon the water, if you will direct me what kind of fishing 

 for a Trout I shall read you a lecture on, I am willing and ready 

 to obey you. 



VIAT. Why, Sir, if you will so far oblige me and that it may 

 not be too troublesome to you, I would entreat you would run 



