380 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



in these parts, I shall take upon me to inform you, that from 

 the town you last came through, called Brelsford, it is five 

 miles ; and you are not yet above half a mile on this side. 



VlAT. So much ? I was told it was but ten miles from 

 Derby ; and methinks I have rode almost so far already. 



PlSC. O Sir, find no fault with large measure of good 

 land, which Derbyshire abounds in, as much as most coun- 

 ties of England. 



VlAT. It may be so ; and good land, I confess, affords a 

 pleasant prospect ; but, by your good leave, Sir, large mea- 

 sure of foul way is not altogether so acceptable. 



PlSC. True, Sir ; but the foul way serves to justify the 

 fertility of the soil, according to the proverb, "There is 

 good land where there is foul way ; " and is of good use to 

 inform you of the riches of the country you are come into, 

 and of its continual travel and traffic to the country town 

 you came from ; which is also very observable by the fulness 

 of its road, and the loaden horses you meet everywhere upon 

 the way. 



VIAT. Well, Sir, I will be content to think as well of your 

 country as you would desire ; and I shall have a great deal 

 of reason both to think and to speak very well of you, if I 

 may obtain the happiness of your company to the fore- 

 mentioned place, provided your affairs lead you that wa} 

 and that they will permit you to slack your pace, out 

 complacency to a traveller utterly a stranger in these part 

 and who am still to wander further out of my own kno) 

 ledge. 



PlSC. Sir, you invite me to my own advantage, and I ai 

 ready to attend you, my way lying through that town ; bi 

 my business, that is, my home, some miles beyond it : 



