THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 257 



Piscator. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone before it was set up, 

 but never in the posture it now stands ; for the house was but 

 building when he was last here, and not raised so high as the 

 arch of the door. And I am afraid he will not see it yet ; for 

 he has lately writ me word, he doubts his coming down this 

 summer, which, I do assure you, was the worst news he could 

 possibly have sent me. 



Viator. Men must sometimes mind their affairs, to make 

 more room for their pleasures. And 'tis odds he is as much 

 displeased with the business that keeps him from you, as you 

 are that he comes not. But I am the most pleased with this 

 little house, of any thing I ever saw : it stands in a kind of 

 peninsula, too, with a delicate clear river about it. I dare 

 hardly go in, lest I should not like it so well within as without ; 



but, by your leave, I'll try Why, this is better and better ! 



fine lights, finely wainscoted, and all exceeding neat, with a 

 marble table and all in the middle ! 



Piscator. Enough, sir, enough ; I have laid open to you the 

 part where I can worst defend myself, and now you attack me 

 there. Come, boy, set two chairs ; and whilst I am taking a 

 pipe of tobacco, which is always my breakfast, we will, if you 

 please, talk of some other subject. 



Viator. None fitter, then, sir, for the time and place, than 

 those instructions you promised. 



Piscator. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, 

 whether I am able to instruct you or no ; though, if you are 

 really a stranger to our clear northern rivers, I still think I can : 

 and, therefore, since it is yet too early in the morning at this 

 time of the year, to-day being but the seventh of March, to cast 

 H fly upon the water, if you will direct me what kind of fishing 

 for a Trout I shall read you a lecture on, I am willing and ready 

 to obey you. 



Viator. Why, sir, if you will so far oblige me, and that it 

 may not be too troublesome to you, I would entreat you would 

 run through the whole body of it ; and I Mill not conceal from 

 you, that I am so far in love with you, your courtesy, and pretty 

 More- Land seat, as to resolve to stay with you long enough by- 

 intervals, for I will not oppress you, to hear all you can say upon 

 that subject. 



Piscator. You cannot oblige me more than by such a pro- 

 mise : and, therefore, \\ithout more ceremony, I will begin to 

 tell you, that my father Walton having read to you before, it 



(17&4; in but indifferent condition; the paintings, and even the wains- 

 coting-, in many places, being much decayed. H. 



Mr Bagster, who visited it in 1814, 'found it much dilapidated, the 

 windows unglazed, and the wainscot and pavement gone, but the cipher 

 still legible. J. K. 



P. 



