TO ALL 



READERS OF THIS DISCOURSE, 



BUT ESPECIALLY TO 



THE HONEST ANGLER. 



/f to tellthee these following truths, that I did 

 neither undertake, nor write, nor publish, and much less 

 own, this discourse to please myself: and, having been too 

 easily drawn to do all to please others* as I propose not the 

 gaining of credit by this undertaking, so I would not wil- 

 lingly lose any part of that to which I had a just title before 

 I begun it, and do therefore desire and hope, if I deserve 

 not commendations, yet I may obtain pardon. 



And though this Discourse may be liable to some excep- 

 tions, yet I cannot doubt but that most readers may receive 

 so much pleasure or profit by it, as may make it worthy the 

 time of their perusal, if they be not too grave or too busy 

 men. And this is all the confidence that I can put on, con- 

 cerning the merit of what is here offered to their considera- 

 tion and censure; and if the last prove too severe, as I have 

 a liberty, so I am resolved to use it, and. neglect all sour 

 censures. 



And I wish the reader also to take notice, that in writing 

 of it I have made myself a recreation of a recreation; and 

 that it might prove so to him, and not read dull and tedi- 

 ously, I have in several places mixed, not any* scurrility, 



