CHAP. I. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 19 



easily attained to ; and you have so won upon me in your 

 former discourse, that I am very desirous to hear what 

 you can say further concerning those particulars. 



Pis. Sir, I did say so : and I doubt not but if you and T 

 did converse together but a few hours, to leave you pos- 

 sessed with the same high and happy thoughts that now 

 possess me of it ; not only of the antiquity of angling, but 

 that it deserves commendations ; and that it is an art, and 

 an art worthy the knowledge and practice of a wise man. 



Yen. Pray, Sir, speak of them what you think fit, for 

 we have yet five miles to the Thatch'd-house ; during 

 which walk, I dare promise you my patience and diligent 

 attention shall not be wanting. And if you shall make 

 that to appear which you have undertaken, first, that it 

 is an art, and an art worth the learning, I shall beg that 

 I may attend you a day or two a-fishing, and that 1 

 may become your scholar, and be instructed in the art 

 itself which you so much magnify. 



Pise. O, Sir, doubt riot but that angling is an art; is It 

 not an art to deceive a Trout with an artificial Fly ? a 

 Trout ! that is more sharp-sighted than any Hawk you 

 have named, and more watchful and timorous than your 

 high-mettled Merlin is bold; 1 and yet, I doubt not to 

 catch a brace or two to-morrow, for a friend's breakfast : 

 doubt not, therefore, Sir, but that angling is an art, and 

 an art worth your learning. The question is rather, whe- 

 ther you be capable of learning it? for angling is. somewhat 

 like poetry, men are to be born so : I mean, with inclina- 

 tions to it, though both may be heightened by discourse 

 and practice : but he that hopes to be a good angler, must 

 lot only bring an inquiring, searching, observing wit, but 

 e must bring a large measure of hope and patience, and a 



(1) This is m mistake : it was Auceps, and not Senator, that named the 

 awks; ana Auceps had before taken his leave of these his companions. 



