CHAP. IV. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 63 



Trouts : but these several kinds are not considered but 

 by very few men ; for they go under the general name 

 of Trouts: just as pigeons do, in most places; though 

 it is certain, there are tame and wild pigeons: and of 

 the tame, there be helmits and runts, and carriers and 

 cropers, and indeed too many to name. Nay, the Royal 

 Society have found and published lately, that there be 

 thirty and three kinds of spiders ; and yet all, for aught 

 I know, go under that one general name of spider. 

 And it is so with many kinds of fish, and of Trouts 

 especially; which differ in their bigness, and shape, 

 and spots, and colour. The great Kentish hens may 

 be an instance, compared to other hens. And, doubtless, 

 there is a kind of small Trout, which will never thrive 

 to be big ; that breeds very many more than others do, 

 that be of a larger si/e: which you may rather believe, 

 if you consider that the little wren and titmouse will have 

 twenty young ones at a time, when, usually, the noble 

 hawk, or the musical thrassel or blackbird, exceed not 

 four or five. 



And now you shall see me try my skill to catch a 

 Trout. And at my next walking, either this evening or 

 to-morrow morning, I will give you direction how you 

 yourself shall fish for him. 



Ven. Trust me, master, I see now it is a harder mat- 

 ter to catch a Trout than a Chub : for I have put on 

 patience, and followed you these two hours, and not 

 seen a fish stir, neither at your minnow nor your worm. 



Pise. Well, scholar, you must endure worse luck 

 sometime, or you will never make a good angler. But 

 what say you now? there is a Trout now, and a good 

 one too, if I can but hold him ; and two or three turns 

 more will tire him. Now you see he lies still, and the 

 sleight is to land him: reach me that landing-net. So, 



