PREFACE. 



I HAVE published these miscellaneous materials re- 

 specting Pish and Fishing, from a desire to place in every 

 Angler's hand something like a general historical sketch 

 of the " gentle art/' and of the sayings and doings about 

 it, for many bygone centuries. I conceive it will prove 

 of interest to all true Piscatorians. Whatever imper- 

 fections, either of commission or omission, which the 

 volume may display* will, I trust, receive some degree of 

 critical indulgence from the fact that this is the first 

 attempt, as far as my knowledge extends, of any thing of 

 the kind in any language whatever. 



I beg to mention that, for the Bibliography of Angling 

 Literature, at the end of my volume, I am indebted to the 

 indefatigable Publisher. 



July, 1855. 



.1911 



