20 THE COMPLETE AN3JLER. PART I. 



love and propensity to the art itself; 1 but having once got 

 and practised it, then doubt not but angling will prove 

 to be so pleasant, that it will prove to be, like virtue, a 

 reward to itself. 



Yen. Sir, I am now become so full of expectation, 

 that I long much to have you proceed, and in the order 

 that you propose. 



Pise. Then first, for the antiquity of Angling, of which 

 I shall not say much, but only this ; some say it is as 

 ancient as Deucalion s flood; others, that Bclus, who 

 was the first inventor of godly and virtuous recreations, 

 was the first inventor of Angling : and some others say, 

 (for former times have had their disquisitions about the 

 antiquity of it,) that Seth, one of the sons of Adam, 

 taught it to his sons, and that by them it was derived 

 to posterity : others say that he left it engraven on those 

 pillars which he erected, and trusted to preserve the 

 knowledge of the mathematics, music, and the rest of 

 that precious knowledge, and those useful arts, which 



(I) Haikham, in his Country Contentments, has a whole chapter on the sub- 

 ject of the Angler'* Apparel, and inward qualities ; some of which are, " Tint 

 he be a general scholar, and seen in all the liberal sciences; as a gt n/nmarian, 

 to know how to write, or discourse, of his art in true and fitting terms. He 

 should," says he, " have twcttneuofipeech, lo entice others to delight in an 

 exercise s > much laudable. He should have strength of argument, to defend 

 and maintain bit profession against envy and slander." Thou seest, reader, how 

 easily the author has 'dispatched Grammar, Rhetoric, and Logic, three of the 

 liberal sciences ; and his reasons are not a whit less convincing, with respect to 

 the other four. 



A man would think, now. that with proper baits, good tackle in his pannier, 

 and so much science in his head, our angler would stand a pretty cood chance 

 to catch fish; but, alas ! those are little to the purpose, without the Christian 

 virtues of faith, hope, and charity; and unless two at least of the cardinal 

 virtues can be persuaded to go a-fithiog, the angler may as well stay at home; 

 for hear what Mr. Markham says as to fortitude; " Then must he be strong 

 and valiant; neither to be amazed with storms, nor affrighted with thunder: 

 and if he is not temperate, but has a gnawing stomach that will not endure 

 much fasting, but must observe hours; it troubleth the mind and body, and 

 loseth that delight which maketh the pastime only pleasing." 



There is no doubt but Walton had this chapter of Markham in his eye; and as 

 there is a humorous solemnity in thus attempting to dignify an art, which surely 

 borrows as little of its perfections from learning as any that is practised, it was 

 thought it might divert the reader to quote it. 



