54 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



upon the words of our Saviour to Martha (Luke x. 41, 



42). 



And on the contrary, there want not men of equal autho- 

 rity and credit, that prefer action to be the more excellent ; 

 as namely, experiments in physic, and the application of it, 

 both for the ease and prolongation of man's life ; by which 

 each man is enabled to act and do good to others, either to 

 serve his country or do good to particular persons. And 

 they say also, that action is doctrinal, and teaches both art 

 and virtue, and is a maintainer of human society ; and for 

 these, and other like reasons, to be preferred before con- 

 templation. 



Concerning which two opinions, I shall forbear to add a 

 third by declaring my own ; and rest myself contented in 

 telling you, my very worthy friend, that both these meet 

 together, and do most properly belong to the most honest, 

 ingenious, quiet, and harmless art of angling. 



And first, I shall tell you what some have observed, and 

 I have found it to be a real truth, that the very sitting by 

 the river's side is not only the quietest and fittest place for 

 contemplation, but will invite an angler to it ; and this 

 seems to be maintained by the learned Peter Du Moulin/ 

 who in his discourse of the fulfilling of prophecies, observes, 

 that when God intended to reveal any future events or high 

 notions to His prophets, He then carried them either to the 

 deserts or the sea-shore, that having so separated them from 

 amidst the press of people and business, and the cares of 

 the world, He might settle their mind in a quiet repose, and 

 there make them fit for revelation. 



And this seems also to be intimated by the Children of 

 Israel (Psalm cxxxvii.), who having in a sad condition 



