16 THE COMPLETE ANGLER. FART I. 



leges, for which we should be ashamed, hath doubtless 

 been the chief cause of those many putrid, shaking, inter- 

 mitting agues, unto which this nation of ours is now more 

 subject, than those wiser countries that feed on herbs, 

 sallets, and plenty of fish ; of which it is observed in story, 

 that the greatest part of the world now do. And it may 

 be fit to remember that Moses, Lev. xi. 9. Deut. xiv. 9. 

 appointed fish to be the chief diet for the best common- 

 wealth that ever yet was. 



And it is observable, not only that there are fish, as 

 namely the Whale, three times as big as the mighty 

 Elephant, that is so fierce in battle, but that the mightiest 

 feasts have been of fish. The Romans, in the height of 

 their glory, have made fish the mistress of all their enter- 

 tainments ; they have had music to usher in their Stur- 

 geons, Lampreys, and Mullets, which they would pur- 

 chase at rates rather to be wondered at than believed. He 

 that shall view the writings of Macrobius, 1 or Varro,' may 

 be confirmed and informed of this, and of the incredible 

 value of their fish and fish-ponds. 



But, Gentlemen, I have almost lost myself, which I con- 

 fess I may easily do in this philosophical discourse ; I met 

 with most of it very lately, and I hope happily, in a confer- 

 ence with a most learned physician, Dr. Wharton, a dear 

 friend, that loves both me and my art of angling. But, 

 however, I will wade no deeper in these mysterious argu- 

 ments, but pass to such observations as I can manage 

 with more pleasure, and less fear of running into error. 



(1) Anrelin* Macrobius, a learned writer of the fourlh century; he was 

 chamber l*in to the Emperor Theodosius. Fabricius makes it a question whether 

 he was a Christian or a Pagan. His works sre A Commentary on the Somnium 

 Scipionit of Cicero, in two books ; aud Saturnalia Convivia, in seven. Besides 

 these, be wa the Author of many, whirh are lost. 



() Marcus Terentius Varro, a most learned Roman, contemporary with 

 Cicero, and author, as it is said, of near fire hundred volumes. He is one of 

 the best writers on agriculture. 



