shall 



con 



of 



THE 



EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 



TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 



JOHN OFFLEY, ESQ. 



OF MADELY MANOR, IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD. 



MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND, 



Sm, I have made so ill use of your former favours, as by them to be 

 encouraged to entreat, that they may be enlarged to the patronage and 

 protection of this book : and I have put on a modest confidence that 

 shall not be denied, because it is a discourse of fish and fishing, which 

 you know so well, and both love and practise so much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of another belief, that 

 angling is an art, and you know that art better than others ; and that 

 this truth is demonstrated by the fruits of that pleasant labour which you 

 enjoy, when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest yourself 

 of your more serious business, and (which is often) dedicate a day or two 

 to this recreation. 



At which time, if common anglers should attend you, and be eye- 

 witnesses of the success, nut of your fortune, but your skill, it would 

 doubtless beget in them an emulation to be like you, and that emulation 

 might beget an industrious diligence to be so ; but I know it is not 

 attainable by common capacities. And there be now many men of great 

 wisdom, learning, and experience, which love and practise this art, that 

 know I speak the truth. 



Sir, this pleasant curiosity of fish and fishing, of which you are so 

 great a master, has been thought worthy the pens and practices of divers 

 in other nations, that have been reputed men of great learning and wisdom. 

 And amongst those of tliis nation, I remember Sir Henry Wotton( a dear 

 lover of this art) has told me, that his intentions were to write a discourse 



