THE 



EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 



TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 



JOHN OFFLEY, ESQ. 



Of MADELY MANOR, in the COUNTY cf STAFFORD. 



MY MOST HONOURED FRIEND, 

 SIR, 



I HAVE made so ill use of your former favours, as by 

 them to be encouraged to entreat, that they may be 

 enlarged to the patronage and protection of this book : 

 and I have put on a modest confidence, that I shall not 

 be denied, because it is a discourse of fish and fishing, 

 which you know so well, and both love and practise so 

 much. 



You are assured, though there be ignorant men of ano 

 ther belief, that Angling is an Art: and you know that 

 art better than others; and that this truth is demonstrated 

 by the fruits of that pleasant labour which you enjoy, 

 when you purpose to give rest to your mind, and divest 

 yourself of your more serious business, and (which is 

 often) dedicate a day or two to this recreation. 



At which time, if common Anglers should attend you, 

 and be eye-witnesses of the success, not of your fortune 

 but your skill, it would doubtless beget in them an emu- 

 lation to be like you, and that emulation might beget an 

 industrious diligence to be so; but I know it is not attain- 



