THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 53 



it; not only of the antiquity of angling, but that it deserves 

 commendations ; and that it is an art, and an art worthy the 

 knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



Venator. Pray, sir, speak of them what you think fit, for 

 we have yet five miles to the Thatched House ; during which 

 walk, I dare promise you my patience and diligent attention 

 shall not be wanting. And if you shall make that to appear 

 which you have undertaken, first, that it is an art, and an art 

 worth the learning, I shall beg that I may attend you a day or 

 two a-fishing, and that I may become your scholar, and be 

 instructed in the art itself which you so much magnify. 



Piscator. Oh, sir, doubt not but that angling is an art : is it 

 not an art to deceive a trout with an artificial fly ? a trout ! that 

 is more sharp sighted* than any hawk you have named, and more 

 watchful and timorous than your high-mettled merlin is bold ; f 

 and yet, I doubt not to catch a brace or two to-morrow, for a 

 friend's breakfast : doubt not therefore, sir, but that angling is 

 an art, and an art worth your learning. The question is rather, 

 whether you be capable of learning it ? for angling is somewhat 

 like poetry, men are to be born sot I mean with inch' nations 

 to it, though both may be heightened by discourse and practice : 

 but he that hopes to be a good angler, must not only bring an 

 inquiring, searching, observing wit, J but he must bring a large 



Fish may be sharp sighted enough within the sphere of their vision ; 

 but from the great projecting convexity of the eyeball in all of them, 

 they must be very near sighted. J. R 



t This is a mistake : it was Aureps, and not Venator, that named the 

 hawks ; and Auceps had before taken his leave of these his companions. 



J Markham, in nis Country Contentments, has a whole chapter on the 

 subject of the angler's apparel, and inward qualities ; some of which are. 

 " That he be a general scholar, and seen in all the liberal sciences ; as a 

 grammarian, to Know how to write, or discourse, of his art in true and 

 fitting terms. He should," says he, " have sweetness of speech, to entice 

 others to delight in an exercise so much laudable. He should have strength 

 of argument, to defend and maintain his profession against envy and slan- 

 der." Thou seest, reader, how easily the author has despatched grammar, 

 rhetoric, and logic, three of the liberal sciences; and his reasons are not 

 a whit less convincing with respect to the other four. 



A man would think, now, that with proper baits, good tackle in his 

 pannier, and so much science in his head, our angler would stand a pretty 

 good chance to catch fish ! but, alas ! those are little to the purpose, without 

 the Christian virtues of faith, hope, and charity ; and unless two at least 

 of the cardinal virtues can be persuaded to go a-fishing, the angler may as 

 well stay at home ; for hear what Mr Markhara gays as to fortitude : 

 " Then must he be strong and valiant ; neither to be amazed with storms, 

 nor affrighted with thunder; and if he is not temperate, but has a gnaw- 

 ing stomach that will not endure much fasting, but must observe hours, 

 it troubleth the mind and body, and loseth that delight which maketh the 

 pastime only pleasing." 



There is no doubt but Walton had this chapter of Markham in his eye ; 

 and as there is a humorous solemnity in thus attempting to dignify an art, 

 which surely borrows as little of its perfections from learning as any that 

 is practised, it was thought it might divert the reader to quote it 



