THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 243 



of what we pretend to be famous for, next, if not before, our 

 malt, wool, lead, and coal ; for you are to understand, that we 

 think we have t> many fine rivers, rivulets, and brooks, as any 

 country whatever ; and they are all full of Trouts, and some 

 of them the best (it is said) by many degrees, in England. 



Viator. I was first, sir, in love with you ; and now shall be 

 so enamoured of your country, by this account you give me of 

 it, as to wish myself a Derbyshire man, or, at least, that I might 

 live in it : for you must know I am a pretender to the angle, 

 and, doubtless, a Trout affords the most pleasure to the angler 

 of any sort of fish whatever ; and the best Trouts must needs 

 make the best sport ; but this brook, and some others I have 

 met with upon this way, are too full of wood for that recreation. 



Piscator. This, sir! why this, and several others like it, 

 which you have passed, and some that you are like to pass, 

 have scarce any name amongst us ; but we can shew you as 

 fine rivers, and as clear from wood, or any other encumbrance 

 to hinder an angler, as any you ever saw ; and for clear beautiful 

 streams, Hantshire itself, by Mr Izaak Walton's good leave, can 

 shew none such, nor, I think, any country in Europe. 



Viator. You go far, sir, in the praise of your country rivers, 

 and, I perceive, have read Mr Walton's Complete Angler, by 

 your naming of Hantshire ; and, I pray, what is your opinion 01 

 that book ? 



Piscator. My opinion of Mr Walton's book is the same with 

 every man's that understands any thing of the art of angling, . 

 that it is an excellent good one, and that the forementioned 

 gentleman understands as much of fish and fishing as any man 

 living. But I must tell you, farther, that I have the happiness 

 to know his person, and to be intimately acquainted with him ; 

 and, in him, to know the Avorthiest man, and to enjoy the best 

 and the truest friend any man ever had : nay, I shall yet 

 acquaint you farther, that he gives me leave to call him father, 

 and I hope is not yet ashamed to own me for his adopted son. 



Viator. In earnest, sir, I am ravished to meet with a friend 

 of Mr Izaak \Valton's, and one that does him so much right in 

 so good and true a character : for I must boast to you, that I 

 have the good fortune to know him too, and came acquainted 

 with him much after the same manner as I do with you that he 

 was my master, who first taught me to love angling, and then 

 to become an angler and, to be plain with you, I am the very 

 man deciphered in his book under the name of " Venator;" for 

 I was wholly addicted to the chase, till he taught me as good, 

 a more quiet, innocent, and less dangerous diversion. 



Piscator. Sir, I think myself happy in your acquaintance ; 

 and, before we part, shall entreat leave to embrace you. You 

 have said enough to recommend you to my best opinion ; for m_jr 





