48 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



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 

 appointed fish to be the chief diet for the best common- 

 wealth that ever yet was. 8 



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 con- 

 fess I may easily do in this philosophical discourse ; I met 

 with most of it very lately, and I hope happily, in a con- 

 ference 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 argu- 

 ments, but pass to such observations 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 



