84 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 



oaks are longer before they cast their leaves, so are some Trouts 

 in rivers longer before they go out of season. 



And you are to note, that there are several kinds of Trouts: 

 but these several kinds are not considered but by very few men ; 

 for they go under the general name of Trouts : just as Pigeons 

 do in most places ; though it is certain there are tame and wild 

 Pigeons : and of the tame, there be Helmits and Runts, and 

 Carriers and Croppers, and indeed too many to name. Nay, 

 the Royal Society * have found and published lately, that there 

 be thirty and three kinds of Spiders, and yet all, for aught I 

 know, go under that one general name of Spider. And it is so 

 with many kinds of fish, and of Trouts especially, which differ 

 in their bigness, and shape, and spots, and colour. The great 

 Kentish hens may be an instance, compared to other hens. 

 And, doubtless, there is a kind of small Trout which will never 

 thrive to be big, that breeds very many more than others do 

 that be of a larger size : which you may rather believe, if you 

 consider that the little Wren and Titmouse will have twenty 

 young ones at a time, when, usually, the noble Hawk, or the 

 musical Throssel, or Blackbird, exceed not four or five. 



And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a Trout. 

 And at my next walking, either this evening or to-morrow 

 morning, I will give you direction how you yourself shall fish 

 for him. 



Venator. Trust me, master,.! see now it is a harder matter 

 to catch a Trout than a Chub ; for I have put on patience, and 

 followed you these two hours, and not seen a fish stir neither 

 at your minnow nor your worm. 



Piscator. Well, scholar, you must endure worse luck some- 

 time, or you will never make a good angler. But what say 

 you now ? there is a Trout now, and^a good one too, if I can 

 but hold him ; and two or three turns more will tire him. Now 

 you see he lies still, and the sleight is to land him : reach me 

 that landing net. So, sir, now he is mine own : what say you 

 now, is not this worth all my labour and your patience ? 



Venator. On my word, master, this is a gallant Trout ; what 

 shall we do with him ? 



Piscator. Marry, e'en eat him to supper : we '11 go to my 

 hostess from whence we came ; she told me, as I was going out 

 of door, that my brother Peter, a good angler and a cheerful 

 companion, had sent word he would lodge there to-night, and 

 bring a friend with him. My hostess has two beds, and I know 

 you and I may have the best : we'll rejoice with my brother 

 Peter and his friend, tell tales, or sing ballads, or make a catch, 

 or find some harmless sport to content us and pass away a little 

 time without offence to God or man. 



* He must mean Dr Lister. J. R. 



