THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 51 



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, Levit. xi. 9. Deut. xiv. 9. appointed fish 

 to be the chief diet for the best commonwealth that ever yet 

 was. 



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 confess 

 I may easily do in this philosophical discourse ; I met with most 

 of it very lately, and I hope happily, in a conference 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 arguments, 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 

 baths, how advantageous is the sea for our daily traffic, without 

 which we could not now subsist ! How does it not only furnish 

 us with food and physic for the bodies, but with such observa- 

 tions for the mind as ingenious persons would not want ! 



How ignorant had we been of the beauty of Florence, of 

 the monuments, urns, and rarities that yet remain in and near 

 unto old and new Rome, so many as it is said will take up 

 a year's time to view, and afford to each of them but a con- 

 venient consideration ! And therefore it is not to be wondered 

 at, that so learned and devout a father as Saint Jerome, after 

 bis wish to have seen Christ in the flesh, and to have heard Saint 

 Paul preach, makes his third wish, to have seen Rome in her 

 glory ; and that glory is not yet all lost, for what pleasure is 

 it to see the monuments of Livy, the choicest of the historians ; 



* Nothing could be more .opposed than this to the medical opinions 

 which are at present held. Shell fish, indeed, is esteemed less stimulating 

 than other auiinal food, for those afl'ected with inflammatory disorders* 

 J. K. 



