THE COMPLETE ANGLER. OS 



But, my worthy friend, as I would rather prove myself a 

 gentleman, by being learned and humble, valiant and inoffensive, 

 virtuous and communicable, than by any fond ostentation of 

 riches ; or, wanting those virtues myself, boast that these were in 

 my ancestors, (and yet I grant, that where a noble and ancient 

 descent and such merits meet in any man, it is a double dignifica- 

 tion of that person ;) so, if this antiquity of angling, which for 

 my part I have not forced, shall, like an ancient family, be 

 either an honour or an ornament to this virtuous art which I 

 profess to love and practise, I shall be the gladder that I made 

 an accidental mention of the antiquity of it, of which I shall 

 say no more, but proceed to that just commendation which I 

 think it deserves. 



And for that, I shall tell you, that in ancient times a debate 

 hath risen, and it remains yet unresolved, whether the happiness 

 of man in this world doth consist more in contemplation or 

 action ? 



Concerning which, some have endeavoured to maintain their 

 opinion of the first ; by saying, that the nearer we mortals come 

 to God by way of imitation, the more happy we are. And they 

 say, that God enjoys himself only by a contemplation of his own 

 infiniteness, eternity, power, and goodness, and the like. And 

 upon this ground, many cloisteral men of great learning and 

 devotion prefer contemplation before action. And many of the 

 fathers seem to approve this opinion, as may appear in their 

 commentaries upon the words of our Saviour to Martha, Luke 

 x. 41, 42. 



And, on the contrary, there want not men of equal autho- 

 rity and credit, that prefer action to be the more excellent; as, 

 namely, experiments in physic, and the application of it, both 

 for the ease and prolongation of man's life ; by which each man 

 is enabled to act and do good to others, either to serve his 

 country, or do good to particular persons. And they say, also, 

 that action is doctrinal, and teaches both art and virtue, and 

 is a maintainer of humane society ; and for these, and other like 

 reasons, to be preferred before contemplation. 



Concerning which two opinions I shall forbear to add a third, 

 by declaring my own ; and rest myself contented in telling you, 

 my very worthy friend, that both these meet together, and do 

 most properly belong to the most honest, ingenuous, quiet, and 

 harmless art of angling. 



And first, I shall tell you what some have observed, and I 

 have found it to be a real truth, that the very sitting by the 

 river's side is not only the quietest and fittest place for contem- 

 plation, but will invite an angler to it ; and this seems to be 

 maintained by the learned Pet. du Moulin, who, in his discourse 

 of the fulfilling of prophecies, observes, " that when God intended 



