CHAP. XXI. THE COMPLETE ANGLER. 241 



happy as first to meet you : but I shall long for the ninth 

 of May; for then I hope again to enjoy your beloved com- 

 pany, at the appointed time and place. And now I wish 

 for some somniferous potion, that might force me to sleep 

 away the intermitted time; which will pass 'away with 

 me as tediously as it does with men in sorrow; neverthe- 

 less I will make it as short as I can, by my hopes and 

 wishes : and, my good Master, I will not forget the doc- 

 trine which you told me Socrates taught his scholars, 

 that they should not think to be honoured so much for 

 being philosophers, as to honour philosophy by their 

 virtuous lives. You advised me to the like concerning 

 Angling, and I will endeavour to do so ; and to live like 

 those many worthy men, of which you made mention in 

 the former part of your discourse. This is my firm reso- 

 lution. And as a pious man advised his friend, that, to 

 beget mortification, he should frequent churches, and 

 view monuments, and charnel-houses, and then and there 

 consider how many dead bodies time had piled up at the 

 gates of death: so when I would beget content, and 

 increase confidence in the power, and wisdom, and pro- 

 vidence of Almighty God, I will walk the meadows, by 

 some gliding stream, and there contemplate the lilies that 

 take no care, and those very many other various little 

 living creatures that are not only created, but fed (man 

 knows not how), by the goodness of the God of nature, 

 and therefore trust in him. This is my purpose : and so, 

 let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. And 

 let the blessing of St. Peter's Master be with mine. 



Pise. And upon all that are lovers of virtue ; and dare 

 trust in his providence; and be quiet; and go a angling. 



" Study to be quiet." 1 Thess. iv. 11. 



END OF PART I. 



