THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



PlSC. That is a question which is to be excused in a 

 stranger, as you are ; otherwise, give me leave to tell you, 

 it would seem a kind of affront to our country, to make a 

 doubt of what we pretend to be famous for, next, if not 

 before, our malt, wool, lead, and coal ; for you are to under- 

 stand, that we think we have as many fine rivers, rivulets, 

 and brooks, as any country whatever ; and they are all full 

 of trouts, and some of them the best, it is said, by many 

 degrees, in England. 



VIAT. I was first, Sir, in love with you ; and now shall 

 be so enamoured of your country by this account you give 

 me of it, as to wish myself a Derbyshire man, or at least 

 that I might live in it ; for you must know that I am a pre- 

 tender to the angle, and doubtless a trout affords the most 

 pleasure to the angler of any sort of fish whatever ; and the 

 best trouts must needs make the best sport ; but this brook, 

 and some others I have met with upon this way, are too 

 full of wood for that recreation. 



PlSC. This, Sir ! why, this, and several others like it, 

 which you have passed, and some that you are like to pass, 

 have scarce any name amongst us ; but we can shew you 

 as fine rivers, and as clear from wood, or any other incum- 

 brance to hinder an angler, as any you ever saw ; and for 

 clear beautiful streams, Hantshire itself, by Mr. Izaak 

 Walton's good leave, can shew none such ; nor I think any 

 country in Europe. 



VlAT. You go far, Sir, in the praise of your counti 

 rivers, and I perceive have read Mr. Walton's " Complet< 

 Angler," by your naming of Hantshire ; and I pray wh; 

 is your opinion of that book ? 



Pise. My opinion of Mr. Walton's book is the same wit 



